Tasting Notes for Paxton Queen of the Hive Red Blend 2021 from the Winery

48% Grenache, 46% Shiraz, Cabernet Sauvignon & Mataro. Aged in French oak. Colour: crimson red. Aroma: strawberries, blood plums, orange peel & liquorice root. Palate: soft & mellow, poached rhubarb & Kakadu plum. Cellar: 5 years.

The Queen of the Hive produces the bees that have a vital role in maintaining natural balance & eco-health in our world. Bees keep plants & crops alive through pollination & without bees, humans would struggle to survive. Bees only survive & thrive in chemical free environments, hence why our certified biodynamic, estate vineyards in McLaren Vale are home to so many bee hives & their powerful, tireless Queens. To all the Queens we salute you! Biodynamics is the most advanced form of organic farming that uses natural preparations to bring the soil & vine into balance. This is a modern Vale red that blends predominantly Shiraz & Grenache to give harmonious, medium bodied, soft and juicy mouth feel with hints of cinnamon, plum & cherries finished with silky elegant tannins.

Vintage Notes

2021 was one of those dream vintages that don’t come along every year; cool, refreshing nights and dreamy, sun-kissed days without any extended stretches of intense heat. After a warmer than usual November there were only four days above 40 degrees. It was mainly dry throughout the ripening season with the odd spattering of just enough rain to keep the grapes beautifully plump, juicy and full of bright fruit flavours and time to dry out in between so disease pressure was low. The gentle undulation between these varying temperatures and perfectly healthy canopies allowed us to really ponder picking times, spending plenty of time out in the vineyard tasting grapes getting the timing of picking just right. The generous harvest has rewarded us with delightfully delicate fruit and varietal characters, with each variety singing its own tune. Natural acids are in perfect balance and the smooth, sensuous tannins completed by an epic energetic vibration that we can’t wait to share with you.

Bouquet

Strawberries in the height of summer, luscious blood plums, orange peel and licorice root.

Palate

Medium bodied, juicy, easy, drink “NOW’ style of wine. Like a warm embrace with someone you love, comforting and uplifting at the same time. Tannins soft but firm, evocative of testing out pillow top mattresses at your local bedding store, along with the texture of fine linen sheets.

Vinification

Selected batches of Shiraz, Grenache, Mataro and just a sprinkling of Cabernet were fermented and aged separately in small French oak barrels. They were blended to achieve a fruit-filled wine that is medium bodied with gentle extraction of tannins giving a velvety silky mouthfeel.

Alcohol: 13.5%

Peak Drinking / Cellaring Potential: Drink now or cellar up to 5 years.

Food Matches: Barbeque

Winemaker: Ashleigh Seymour and Kate Goodman

(SKU: PX_QOH_CV)