On the southern boundary of Coonawarra is the old Penola cricket ground, which first saw a ball bowled in anger and the flashing cover drives of the local champions in 1950. Fruit from this vineyard, along with selected parcels of fruit from our family owned Cabernet Sauvignon vineyards in the Clare Valley have been blended to produce a wine that is rich, soft and approachable.
This wine is dark garnet red in colour with high clarity. The nose is very fragrant with intense cassis and cedar dominating the aromas. There is some underlying nuances of fennel and damson plums. This is followed by a generous, medium bodied palate with lovely, succulent tannins which carry the flavours of blackcurrant, sandalwood, liquorice and morello cherries. As with previous releases of ‘The Cover Drive’, the wine displays harmonious balance and can be enjoyed now or will reward cellaring for 5 years.
The hidden geological treasure of porous limestone under the rich terra rossa soil creates the ideal cellar by storing water for later use. From these gifts of the earth, the winemaker create their distinctive signatures in wine. The combined efforts of many outstanding grapegrowers and talented winemakers have ensured that Coonawarra has produced wines of a truly unique style and quality. Accounting for less than 1.5% of Australia’s total wine production, these wines are now generally recognised as being amongst the greatest in the world.
From the Winery
Jim Barry was a pioneer of the Australian wine industry, the first qualified winemaker to work in Clare Valley. Jim had a good eye for site potential, he established some of the most distinguished vineyards and had an uncanny intuition as to which grape would best suit the soil. He planted Cabernet vines on the picturesque thirty acre Cover Drive property near the site of the old Penola cricket grounds, atop some of the Coonawarra's most precious soils. Cover Drive offers a measure of elegance and finesse, to be enjoyed upon release, alongside your favourite comfort faire.
Don't Pay: $25.00
WBW Rating: 92/100
Closure: Screwcap
Region: Clare Valley, SA
Winemaker: Peter and Tom Barry
Drink now until: 2020
Alc/Vol: 14 %