Spearmint, blackcurrant pastilles and lavender floral notes. A luscious, grippy palate; firm and well-structured with great length. Integrated layers of blue fruits this wine has serious drive. Enjoyable now and for an easy fifteen-plus years of cellaring.
Vintage 2019 was characterized by dry conditions throughout the growing season, with no rainfall recorded. Warm temperatures prevailed, fostering rapid ripening and a condensed harvest period. Despite the challenges, these conditions led to grapes with intense flavors and tannins, resulting in wines of remarkable power and structure.
We are fortunate that Otto Kasper had the foresight to plant his cabernet vines on a perfectly positioned site on the western banks of Greenock Creek, which eventually became part of the Hentley Farm vineyard. Planted using an old clone, on a two-wire narrow vertical shoot position trellis, the vines sit on one of the lower blocks on our property, where they are well-sheltered due to the block’s slight easterly aspect and enjoy the deep clay loam soils in which Cabernet thrives.
The fruit was crushed and destemmed prior to fermentation and left on skins for 8 days. Pump-overs were used 2-3 times per day to ensure the wine achieved a full tannins structure. The wine was then pressed out to a combination of new (35%) and old (65%) French barrels, where it underwent natural malolactic fermentation, before being returned to oak for a total maturation of 22 months.
Tech Analysis: Alcohol – 14.5% | pH – 3.62 | Acid – 6.7g/L | RS – <1.0g/L
Masterfully crafted tannins of enduring grip and powder-fine texture unite with bright acidity to carry a finish of undeviating line and length. Benchmark Barossa cabernet to bury deep in the cellar - 96 POINTS GOLD, James Halliday Wine Companion
