V I N T A G E C O N D I T I O N S
The 2021 and 2022 seasons at Delamere offered a fascinating study in contrasts, each delivering exceptional fruit quality through very different paths. The 2021 vintage was near flawless - Tasmania’s second warmest on record - combining early warmth with a timely February cool change that locked in vibrant acidity, while dry conditions kept disease pressure at bay and allowed fruit to ripen slowly to perfect balance and concentration. In contrast, the 2022 season began with one of the wettest springs on record, delaying budburst and hinting at a late harvest, only to accelerate rapidly under dry, warm conditions from January onward. The result was lush, healthy canopies supporting beautifully developed flavours and zest-like acidity, producing wines with both intensity and freshness.
W I N E M A K I N G
Ratafia is a delicious traditional fortified wine produced in Champagne. It is made by fortifying freshly pressed grape juice. We discovered it in 2017 while we were in that exceptional region conducting research for Fran’s Don Martin Fellowship. Shane (who has always harboured secret aspirations to become a fortified winemaker) was hooked and returned to Tasmania determined to produce Delamere’s own version.
Being a purest as heart, he started out by having some of our sparkling pressing from the 2018 vintage distilled. Over the next few years, he used that spirit to fortify one or two barrels of sparkling pressings juice each vintage. He was fascinated with the way the wine’s complexity developed with time in the barrel (aged in 228L french barriques) and decided this was an element he wanted to capture. In 2023 the inaugural blend was completed, with this new blend combines parcels from 2021 Pinot Noir (60%) with 2022 Pinot Noir and Chardonnay (20% each).
T A S T I N G N O T E S
Notes of sweet delicate orange rind, preserved red fruits, almond with a hint of star anise spice. Think a marmalade of tangerine rind steeped in Amarone with lifted aromatics. A wine born from tradition with new world freedom