Cabernet Sauvignon
Single Variety
Clare Valley 55% / Coonawarra 45%
At release, the wine has a deep ruby red colour to the centre with a youthful purple hue to the edges.
There are lifted aromas of dark blackcurrant fruit along with subtle choc-mint and a hint of eucalypt.
On the palate, this is a rich, full-bodied wine with intense flavours of cassis and blackberry fruit along with attractive oak characters of cigar box and tobacco leaf. Overall, the wine is well balanced with complex, well-integrated, elegant tannins providing structure and an intense, persistent length to the finish.
In the Clare Valley, the growing season saw average autumn and winter rainfalls on the Taylor family estate vineyards. Although spring was relatively dry, the vine vigour was still good due to the presence of subsurface moisture from the regular winter rain events and in addition the relatively calm conditions during the spring period reduced the evapotranspiration of the vines. Summer started dry and warm but not overly hot although from mid-January to mid-February this changed with very hot conditions prevailing until the 14th February when a downpour occurred, slowing the ripening of grapes considerably allowing for full flavour and tannin development. In Coonawarra the 2014 season can be described as one of the longest on record starting mid-February and finishing in the first week of May. Winter was the second wettest in the last 28 years providing a very welcome recharge to the underground aquifer. Spring saw the rainfall continue with almost double the long term average falling, a blessing in disguise with the warm weather that was to follow during summer. Flowering occurred from late November to mid-December in cold and windy conditions and consequently fruit set was impacted. January and early February were hot and dry, however with good water availability and accurate early weather forecasts the fruit was well protected by healthy canopies. The warm weather brought forward the ripening of many varieties but the more normal cool nights and moderate days soon rolled in to preserve the acid and flavour of the whites. Cabernet Sauvignon especially benefited from the cool, slow ripening period. Overall, a perfect extended dry and mild ripening season for flavour, colour and tannin development which will deliver a classic Coonawarra vintage.
Crafted for immediate enjoyment but will cellar over a long term under ideal conditions.
14.50%
7.25
3.40
0.80
Single: 750ml bottle, Case: 6 x 750ml bottle
