2020 Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon

The wine exhibits ripe blackcurrant fruit with earthy graphite mineral overtones, cradled by exceptionally fine tannins and integrated French oak. A distinct mineral complexity is derived from the rocky granitic soils of the Leeuwin Ridge.

95 Points James Halliday

Vintage 2020 came early following a number of heat waves which occurred through December and January with temperatures regularly in the mid 30’s. Overall the growing season offered ideal conditions of dry weather and low disease pressure. The Marri trees flowered prolifically and diverted native birds into the forest and away from the vines which was a timely boon for viticulturists who faced high bird pressure in 2019. Moderate yields resulted in outstanding fruit that was physiologically ripe and showed a perfect balance of acidity, flavour and tannin.

The cabernet sauvignon and malbec were harvested at optimum ripeness on 19 March and 9 March respectively, and immediately crushed to an open fermenter and inoculated. The cabernet ferment was pumped over for a period of 11 days to extract maximum colour, tannin, and flavour from the skins days until the ferment was dry, the malbec ferment was pumped over for a period of 9 days. Both batches underwent malolactic fermentation during primary fermentation. The cabernet was pressed to a combination of 40% new and 60% second use French oak, the malbec to seasoned French oak barriques. The wine was matured in this oak for a period of 15 months and then racked to tank prior to blending, filtering and bottling on 8 July 2021.

Be: 12.8, Alc: 13.3 %, PH: 3.61, TA: 5.7 g/L