In 1983 we established The Hanging Rock Winery in Victoria's very cool Macedon Ranges Wine region. Our aim: to produce a world-class sparkling wine. According to those who should know, we have well and truly achieved this aim.
'Macedon LD - 'Late Disgorged' is the fulfilment of our longer term dream - to make a sparkling wine with greatly extended lees ageing; confirming our belief that this would produce a wine of unparalleled richness and complexity.With at least 15 years of extended lees ageing, in this bottle, the wine achieves previously unseen levels of flavour development, complexity and refinement for an Australian sparkling wine, surpassing its own already high standards.
The components in each blend of Hanging Rock Macedon are aged on-lees from the moment primary fermentation is complete. The ageing process begins with the base wines which are stored on lees in old French oak barriques. These barriques contain the lees from many previous vintages and are never washed - this residual lees material playing an important part in developing the complexity that is the hallmark of this wine.
Each Cuvee comprises 50% of the current vintage (Cuvee X is 50% from 1998) and the balance is reserve wine from 1997 back to 1987. After some four years of maturation in barriques the wine is then blended. The blend is approximately 60% Pinot Noir and 40% Chardonnay. Ageing then continues on lees in the bottle, in which the wine remains until disgorging takes place.
Its excellent fine mousse attests to its very long lees contact, as does its immaculate balance, despite its low dosage of only 2g per litre of sugar. The bead is fine and persistent and the bouquet is full of of honey and brioche like aromas.
The wine should be enjoyed with food.
Palate: The palate starts with fresh apple-like characters, moving to an intense and complex middle of bready/biscuity characters, reminiscent of Bollinger, and very good acidity stretches out the long, lingering finish.
To read all about the 'Macedon' winemaking process see our page 'The Sparkling Macedon Story'.
Reviews:
James Halliday Wine Companion 2019
Macedon Brut Cuvée X Late Disgorged
Rating 94
60/40% pinot noir chardonnay. 15 years on lees in bottle. Complex, impactful, and fresh all at once. Alive with fig, wholemeal croissants brushed with vegemite, biscuits and toast; peach and pineapple or versions thereof sizzling throughout. It gives you everything it's got, but it's not without refinement.
Diam 12% alc
Rating 94
$115
Clive Hartley- The Australian Wine Guide
Some development as expected on appearance. Nose - medium plus intensity with complex secondary and tertiary aromas consisting of honey, toast, malt and autolytic characters. Palate was dry but importantly well balanced with some fine acid levels. Long length and finish with a pronounced flavour intensity similar to the nose but with marmalade notes. Overall quality was outstanding.
Tyson Stelzer- WBM Magazine
As idiosyncratic and characterful as ever, this is a cuvée of astonishing maturity, showcasing impressive integrity for its recipe and age. A blend of vintages from 1999 all the way back to 1986, it boasts a full yellow gold hue with hints of copper, bursting from the glass in a sweeping panorama of intriguing character. For all of its bountiful maturity and complexity, the energy and tension of cool Macedon acidity maintains great focus and persistence through a finish of profound persistence. 12.5% 93 points
