2015 Museum Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon

Cabernet sauvignon is selected for the reserve label when it has the depth of flavour and fine ripe tannins that support reserving the wine. The 2015 Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon is made from the oldest planting of cabernet sauvignon on the property and was co-fermented with a small amount of Malbec (6%) to help create a seamless palate.

Excellent winter rainfall and perfect spring flowering was followed by a summer consisting of warm dry days and cooling afternoon sea breezes. Bird pressure was unusually high throughout the ripening period due to a lack of blossom on the native gum trees, and the entire vineyard had to be netted to ward off potential crop loss. Finally, bursts of rain and lightning just prior to picking led to careful scheduling of harvest dates. This extended ripening has resulted in a wonderful balance of flavour and soft tannins.

The cabernet sauvignon was harvested at optimum ripeness on the morning of 28 March and immediately crushed to static fermenters and inoculated. The fermentation was controlled at 22°C throughout and pumped over daily for 15 days to extract maximum colour, tannin, and flavour from the skins until the ferment was dry.