DRINKING WINDOW: Now - 5 Years
Heavy rainfall in June and early July provided an exciting start to the season but was followed by dry conditions throughout spring and early summer, resulting in budburst and flowering up to three weeks early. These dry conditions were somewhat tempered by cooler periods through December and the first half of January. A rainfall incident of 70mm in mid-January pushed sugars back and was followed by perfect warm ripening conditions with 30-32C days and cool nights down to 10C persisting for 2 weeks. These conditions resulted in a fast late ripening curve that has produced rich vibrant fruit throughout.
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 destemmed prior to fermentation, during which 2-3 pump overs a day were used to ensure the wine achieved a full tannin structure. It was then pressed out to a combination of new (35%) and old French barrels where it underwent natural malolactic fermentation facilitated by lees stirring. The wine was then racked off lees and returned to oak to mature for a total of 20 months. No fining or filtration were used in the production of this wine.
Youthful and complex, with choc mint and black tea leaf weaving through vibrant dark fruit. Notes of graphite and roasted nuts add savoury depth, while grippy tannins lend structure and drive. A wine of layered character, drinking well now with the integrity to evolve gracefully over the next five years.
