Year

Grand Maitre
2000
General Description:

The Collection of Grand Maitre Wines comes from the private single estate, Ghajn Rihana, with the fruit of each vintage being dedicated to one of the noble Grand Masters of the Sovereign Military Order of Malta. The blend of Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc generally produces very concentrated, full bodied wines of an intense, fruity, aromatic character. The aromas are of intense concentration of a black fruit character showing ripe, integrated, astringent tannins with an animal complexity of tar and leather combined with an oaky spicy character of cinnamon and liquorice. This wine can age further and is also a collector’s item reaching high prices.

Grape Varieties: Cabernet Sauvignon & Cabernet Franc
The Vineyard & Training Systems

Ghajn Rihana estate in Burmarrad. 1.246 hectares of land under vine. Deep alkaline soil with calcareous clay subsoil. Vertical trellis system with permanent cordon training for Cabernet Sauvignon and replacement cane pruning for Cabernet Franc. Controlled drip irrigation 9,000 vines per hectare

Yield, Harvest & Vintage Conditions

7,942 kg of grapes harvested.

Yield: 44.6 hectolitres per hectare.

Hand harvested on 22/08/2000.

The 2000 vintage was characterised by a cold, wet winter and hot summer with temperatures peaking at 42°C and rendering excellent grape maturity.

Vinification

Destemming, 15 days maceration, temperature controlled stainless steel fermentation. Minimum of 14 months maturation in new french oak barrels

Wine Analysis: Acidity - 5.3g/l Alcohol: 12.1%
Peak Drinking: 2009 - 2012
Food Matches

Rare steak, beef dishes, beef Wellington, English hard cheeses

Tasting Notes:

Appearance

Pale intensity with a medium ruby core and a tawny rim

Nose

Moderately pronounced developing aromas of flint, earthy, tar combined with intense fruity characteristics of passion fruit, black currants and black cherries.

Palate

Medium levels of ripe soft tannins, with flavours of passion-like fruit, raspberries, red fruit notes, wine gums and sweet vanilla. A medium bodied wine with a good balance between fruitiness and complexities of leather, spice and oak. These are combined with a moderate level of alcohol and a lengthy finish. 

Conclusion

A delicate wine that is already approachable, expressive of its terroir, quite similar to the 1999 vintage and can be enjoyed best in the next 3 to 4 years.

 
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