The definitive Australian 'Claret' style. The colour is dark ruby red with good depth and clarity. The aroma is a wonderful example of both varieties in this blend. It is a complex mix of red berry fruits, menthol, earthy notes, spice and licorice. This is plush with ripe fruit , a hint of raisin, seamlessly leading to nuances of aged wood and finishing with vanilla like silken tannins. An absolute bargain.
This stylistic fruit driven blend from South Australia's Langhorne Creek highlights the best of the region- it is rich in ripe berry flavours of Cabernet complemented by the more savoury and spicy Shiraz, all further enhanced by ageing in American oak casks for 9 months.
Accolades and Awards:
2010 Vintage: 91 Points - James Halliday, Wine Companion "A 53/47% blend matured for 9 months in American oak. Blackberry, blackcurrant, plum cake and mocha are in fine fettle, all with that welcoming mouthfeel of Langhorne Creek fruit (whence the grapes are grown)."
From the Winery
The colour is a deep red with blood red and purple hues. The aroma shows lots of Cabernet lift and spice with plenty of ripe red berry fruits. The Shiraz also comes through strongly, complementing the nose with black cherry, licorice and hints of menthol. The palate is bright and fresh with a balanced mid weight mouthfeel, clean primary fruit and a long finish ending on a fruity herbal note.
More vigorous canopy growth during bud development in 2011, ensured fewer bunches per vine and lighter bunch weights for the 2012 vintage effectively dropping yield rates 35 - 50%. For the most part, growing conditions were optimal right through the growing season with a few temperature and rainfall events which caused some anxiety. Immediately following the high temperatures was some cool weather and a large rain event which slowed down ripening and allowed the vintage to progress at a good rate.
Don't Pay: $28.00
WBW Rating: 92/100
Closure: Stelvin
Region: Langhorne Creek, SA
Winemaker: Geoff Merrill & Scott Heidrich
Drink now until: 2020
Alc/Vol: 14.5 %
