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The MAX V vineyards
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The MAX V Release

Although production is limited, the 2005 MAX V is now
available to all wine
enthusiasts and advocates of small batch winemaking.
Please register your interest
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Lloyds Farm Block

CABERNET FRANC COMPONENT


Location   Southern Valley of the Clare
Sub Region   Sevenhill
Variety   Cabernet Franc
Approx. Yield   3 tonnes per acre
Property Size   2 acres of Cabernet Franc
Age of Vines   The Cabernet Franc vines were first planted in 1978
Soil type / Subsoils   Red brown earth over clay with slate and broken bluestone sub-soil. Well drained. The Sevehill/Polish Hill areas are an acidic red-brown clayey-loam. Geologically the region is of ancient shale and an extension of the famous Mintaro slate. The top-soil is shallow and the superficial shale is fissured, and decomposing. The fissures extend deep into hard blue shale. It is these deep fissures that the vine roots seek to go deep for water.
Aspect   Slight Westerly

 

VINEYARD MANAGEMENT


Trellis System   (VSP) Vertical Shoot Positioning, trellis is treated pine posts 1.8m high with single cordon wire at 1.0m with two movable foliage wires
Vine Spacing   2-m vine spacing, 3-m row spacing set up for mechanical harvesting
Irrigation   The entire vineyard fitted with drip irrigation system. Irrigation is applied only when necessary in order to keep vines functioning at their optimum levels to produce quality grapes.
Hand Pruning   Hand spur pruning with fruit thinning is undertaken in order to reduce the number of buds per vine and keep vines at a premium. Both Mechanical and hand harvesting is undertaken.
Grape Protection   The Lloyds Farm block location at the base of the Polish Hills contributes to an extended ripening process due to the St. Vincent gulf air flow which plays an important role in reducing the risk of frost.

 

GROWERS STATEMENT
With large, but open canopy, with well dispersed fruit, the Lloyds Farm block has developed Cabernet Franc fruit that displays a wealth of aromatic flavours. Although it appears more herbaceous and vegetative in its early growth stage, later in the cycle it shows very tight acid which will play a pivotal role in complimenting the MAX V blend. By comparison, this vineyard has the best canopy to fully ripen and fully develop the fruit characteristics required.

KEY FRUIT CHARACTERISTICS – Cabernet Franc
Although similar in structure and flavor to cabernet sauvignon, Cabernet Franc has a thinner skin and is not quite as full-bodied, with fewer tannins and less acid. It is, however, more aromatic and herbaceous. Cabernet Franc is most often blended with Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon, it is usually not the dominant grape in these blends, but contributes to the increased acidity, flavour profile such as raspberry, cherry, mint, violets, leafy, herbaceous and earthy characters as well as tobacco and increases the depth in the back palate.