Muller Thurgau 2023

Dry Grown Muller Thurgau 2023

REVIEW

Amongst the many high-water marks of Galafrey, the müller-thurgau is often in the mix. This is an excellent release too. Slippery texture, some squeakiness and light chew through the finish. Scents of tonic water, cucumber, green tea, guava and frangipani, with exotic tropical fruit flavours married to more green tea, quince and tonic. A touch of saline minerality struck through all this. Vivid characters, a compelling, medium-weight white of interest and difference.

94/100 Mike Bennie

TECHNICAL DETAILS
Alcohol 12% a/v

MULLER THURGAU

Muller Thurgau was part of the original plantings at Galafrey Wines in 1977 . Oneof Victoria's leading wine experts Ian Higginbottom suggested that this vineyard would be ideal for Muller because of its Riesling influence. Galafrey thought the easy drinking style of grape variety would flourish and attracts a lot of attention due to its uniqueness and approachable style of passionfruit and tropical fruits.

Müller-Thurgau grape was first cloned inGeisenheim (in the Rheingau region) in 1882 by Professor Hermann Müllerfrom Thurgau, Switzerland. The grape was named after him in 1913. For many years, it was believed that the grape was a cross between the Riesling andSilvaner grapes. However, with the help of recent genetic analysis, it was discovered that the Müller-Thurgau grape is actually across between the Riesling and Madeleine Royale grapes

VINEYARD

Fruit sourced from our 41 year old 12 hectare Dry Grown Vineyard. Our old vines are not irrigated; something quite unusual in these days of mass commercial production. We prefer low-yielding wine crops with small berries. Although it limits our volume, having smaller fruit fosters an intensity of the flavour, with most of the colour and tannin of the grape being concentrated in or near the skin. The characteristically cool climate of the district ensures slow ripening of the grapes, which also allows for the development of rich flavour and quality grape juice. Grown on ancient gravely loams in Mount Barker, in the Great Southern region of Western Australia, an are renowned for excellence in cool climate viticulture. Our old vines are all cane pruned and yield 2 tonne per hectare with small bunch weights which add intensity of character and flavour. Galafrey harvest their grapes from mid March to late April depending on the season.

VINTAGE COMMENTS

After a dry spring we had cool conditions this vintage providing a perplexing vintage of both a dry and cool vintage in one. I have never seen one like it before. After a very dry but mild summer we had cool conditions during vintage. Temperatures were low but so was the rainfall providing both dry and cool conditions for the grapes. Whites look excellent. While reds will be lower in volume, pH and alcohol. 

WINEMAKING

Muller is made similarly to Riesling. It is important to pick Muller at the right time as you want to get the most fruit flavours possible however if you leave it too long on the vine it will lose its fruit driven flavour. It does not have much natural acidity so very important to pick it at the right time. Once it has been pick you process the fruit into a stainless steel tank and ferment dry. Usually you add some residual sugar and/or acid depending on the year. Once we are happy with the wine we then filter and bottle within 6 months. The wine is a great wine for a variety of foods, including Asian or anything with a little bit of chilli. It is very easy drinking, fruit driven, light style. Due to its uniqueness and approachability it is very popular.