2023 Blood Of My Blood Sangiovese

Sangiovese is one of the most planted Italian varieties in Italy and Australia, is quite adaptable to its environment, and quite malleable in the winery, meaning you can get diversity of styles. My preference is for bold yet crunchy wines with some savoury texture, and I think Heathcote is ideal for this style. For the first time in three vintages Sangiovese is back, this time from the Kennedy Vineyard in Colbinabbin. Fruit was hand harvested and all but 20% was de-stemmed and placed into a stainless-steel fermenter with the whole bunches at the bottom. During the fermentation pump-overs were performed daily. After alcoholic fermentation the tank was sealed, with a total 32 days of maceration. After pressing the wine went into one 750L Slavonian oak barrel and several French oak hogsheads. The wine had an initial rack and return performed in Spring, then was bottled in January 2024. The name 'Blood of My Blood' is in part a reference to the meaning of sangiovese (blood of Jove), and a reference to the popular novel and television series Game of Thrones (a Dothraki saying between a Khal and his blood riders). Credit for the name and the concept of the Vino Intrepido labels must go to the designer Brad Lucas, who also owns and operates Cult of the Vine, one of Melbourne's best wine retailers.