At LAFRENZ we specialize in small batch production and then blending to create our terroir driven wines. Small batches allow for more complexity and yet more consistency at the same time. We have created our Single Barrel Lot series to show just how unique individual components can be.

Though the barrels are an integral part of blending some demand to be displayed for their individuality. These are hand selected by our winemaker Dominic McCosker for you to ponder and enjoy.

Each of our SBL wines are unfined and unfiltered to ensure every subtle nuance is preserved.

This is a 6 bottles set including 2 bottles of each wine: 2015 SBL Chardonnay, 2015 SBL Pinot Noir and 2015 SBL Syrah.

The grapes were carefully handpicked from our Freedom 75 vineyard and exclusively our clone 95 block. This wine embodies a sense of fruit, minerality and structure that this variety is known for. The grapes were gently whole bunch pressed and immediately racked into a twice used Damy barrel. It underwent a long slow fermentation of 6 months using native or indigenous yeast strains. The wine was aged on its yeast lees for a further 11 months to add creaminess and texture before being bottle aged before release.

The immediate impression is a big, round, buttery Chardonnay.  The wine brims with a kaleidoscope of honey, creamy oatmeal, roasted cashews, crème brûlée all wrapped around a linear core showing texture, minerality and acidity.

Our Desperation Hill vineyard consists of 5 clonal blocks that each descend over 3 soil types.  The top is sandy loam, gravelly loam at the centre and heavy clay at the bottom. Pinot Noir more than any other variety reflects the soil where it is grown.  Our small batch production allows for endless creativity in our Pinot Noir wines.  This wine was a 1 ton co-fermentation of structured clone 667 and perfumed clone 828 . This wine has impressive structure and colour which can be attributed to a whopping 66% whole bunch fermentation. This is where whole bunches are placed into the fermenter and then topped with gently destemmed fruit. This really extends the length of time fermenting on skins and the stems add tannins which are showcased in the structure of this Pinot.

The result is a wine showing red fruits such as Bing and Maraschino cherries overlaying a palate of cloves, caraway, morel mushrooms and subtle charcuterie notes.

This was our favourite batch of Syrah from a spectacularly warm vintage. We use a technique that is traditionally used in the Northern Rhone whereby co-fermenting 5% Viognier with our Syrah as this adds lift to the aroma while making the palate silky smooth and round. The barrel selected was a 1 year old Marcel Cadet with medium toasting and tight woodgrain which ensures the wines' flavour is gently supported by the oak.

This wine is incredibly dark, rich and brooding. It brims with a rich blackberry compote overlaid with subtle hints of violets, anise and freshly tho tilled earth. It is so reminiscent of eating dark chocolate covered blueberries, a delicious Syrah.