PRE-VINTAGE
RAINFALL: Winter (consistent) | Spring (above average).
TEMPERATURE: Mild Spring and early Summer | No extreme heat.
UPSHOT: Consistent flowering & fruit set | Healthy canopy
VINTAGE
RAINFALL: Summer (below average) | Autumn (light).
TEMPERATURE: Days (mild - average) | Nights (cool).
UPSHOT: Delayed ripening conditions | Gradual & extended flavour accumulation | Great natural acidity.
SEPPELTSFIELD VINEYARDBLOCK:H Block
VINEYARD:Deep red clay loam | Western bank of Greenock Creek Old clone | Low topograpical position | Slight Easterly aspect | East-West Oriented rows.
UPSHOT:Intense fruit profile | Herbaceous notes
HARVEST: 18 & 26 April 2023
FERMENTATION: De-stemmed | 12-14 days on skins | Basket Pressed | 35% New French Oak | Natural malolactic fermentation | 21 months maturation.
PROFILE: Spearmint | Cherry | Dark Chocolate | Sage leaf
TEXTURE: Bright acidity | Balanced oak | Crunchy tannins | Long finish
95 points, THE REAL REVIEW
Very deep, brooding red-purple colour; the first aroma is fine cedary French oak, evidently a proportion of it new. Attractively fresh, bright and concentrated cassis, mulberry fruit as well, which take centre-stage when put on the palate. Lovely wine, concentrated and bright, fresh and clean, beautifully ripe and elegantly proportioned, with finesse and line, the finish extending very long and satisfying. Superb cabernet - Huon Hooke
