92 points – "The great grape of Coonawarra from a very fine vintage gives us a wine which promises much. Sourced from a number of sites around the region, they use a Pellenc Select Harvester to pick the grapes – this nifty piece of equipment can destem the grapes in the vineyard, giving the winemaker immediate access to perfect berries. Dark maroon, there is an earthy note here on the nose with blackfruits, plums, cedar, tobacco leaves and cold tea. We move to more chocolatey notes on the palate. Silky tannins but they provide deceptive grip here and promote excellent length. This wine has a little more complexity and long term structure than others in this range. It is terrific value and should age and improve over the next eight years. Expect the score to go even higher over that period." – Ken Gargett (Wine Pilot)

Winemaking

The grapes were picked in mid-April using a Pellenc Select Harvester, which picks and de-stems in the vineyard to deliver pristine berries to the winery — a winemaker's dream.

10-tonne open fermenters were used for oxidation, stability, colour and tannin extraction, with the blend on skins for an average of 10 days.

Following fermentation, all parcels completed malolactic fermentation in stainless steel. The wine was then transferred into old French oak barriques and hogsheads for an average of 12 months prior to bottling.

Our cool-climate wines are made in an approachable style suited to early drinking, but can also benefit from medium-term cellaring. With a focus on bright, fresh, primary fruit flavours, the objective is to create classic varietal definition.

Tasting Notes

Aroma: Rich aromas of dark fruits, blueberry and blackcurrant. Soft hints of vanilla mix with warming spices and undertones of dark chocolate.

Palate: A medium-bodied palate with dark fruits of cherry and blackberry at the core. A slight earthiness and toasty hints are balanced with soft, fine tannins.

Colour: Deep ruby red with purple hues.

Vintage: 2021
Variety: 100% Cabernet Sauvignon

Analysis

Alcohol: 14.0%

TA: 6.3 g/L

pH: 3.50

RS: 0.5 g/L

Region

Coonawarra is one of Australia’s first and finest cool-climate wine growing regions. The maritime influence of the Southern Ocean exposes the region to even greater cooling due to the seasonal upwelling of dark blue water streams from Antarctica. These conditions ensure an extended ripening period for the development of intense flavours and retention of natural acidity.

The GDD (Growing Degree Days) for Coonawarra reflect these conditions. At 1492 GDD, this places the region in a similar range to Bordeaux and Mornington Peninsula.

The 2021 vintage is universally recognised as one of the best in living memory. Good spring rains were followed by a temperate growing season that ensured impeccable quality of fruit with superb flavour and perfect ripeness.