Coonawarra Cabernet from a very smart vintage, ready to drink now or in the next 5-7 years. The Take it to the Grave range offers serious value, with a range of approachable options sourced from premium regions.
This Cabernet Sauvignon is a deep brooding red in colour, a swish of the glass releasing the nose of cassis and some oak. The palate is a great expression of the region, bursting with dark berry fruit on the front palate, before defined tannins take the reins and pull through to a long finish. Along the way there are notes of tobacco leaf and a touch of forest floor weight. At present there's good acidity to indicate this will last well in bottle, although probably not all the way to the grave.
From the Winery
Take it to the Grave is a joint venture between Nicholas Crampton and South Australian winemaker Corey Ryan created to deliver interesting and rewarding wines whilst challenging a few established rules and preconceptions. The Take it to the Grave Cabernet Sauvignon attempts the ultimate challenge of achieving both true varietal Cabernet character and approachability.
Sourced from a selection of mature vineyards (20 years old) planted on red Terra Rossa soils of Coonawarra (20 years plus). The fruit is partially hand-harvested before de-stemming and cool fermentation in small two tonne open fermenters with regular hand plunging. Matured in seasoned French oak (20% new French) for six months before bottling with minimal filtration and sulphur addition.
An outstanding vintage. Excellent, balanced and consistent conditions — warm but crucially not too warm, dry but not too dry, and finally cool Autumn nights that allowed for retention of natural acidity —have led to intensely flavoured and brilliantly balanced fruit with excellent freshness.
Don't Pay: $20.00
WBW Rating: 92/100
Closure: Stelvin
Region: Coonawarra, SA
Winemaker: Corey Ryan
Drink now until: 2022
Alc/Vol: 14 %
