Again, this is such a great example. There's never a dull moment with Pete Schell in the house!
Muscat Blanc à Petit Grains--white Muscat or 'Fronti' in South Oz--is sourced from a 40-year-old vineyard in Moppa, in the north-west corner of the Barossa Valley.
All the fruit was hand harvested and bunches were chilled overnight prior to being destemmed and spontaneously fermented for seven days prior to pressing. After pressing, the young wine was transferred, with its lees, into seasoned acacia wood barriques where it rested for six months prior to being racked and bottled without filtration.
This approach has all served to tone back the wine's natural exuberance, so although the nose offers plenty of rose petal and musk hints, it remains subtle and inviting. The palate is just gorgeous - textural yet racy and fine with those same characters found on the nose plus white peach and a long finish laden with star anise and crushed clove. Another brilliant effort.