A fantastic example of a South Australian Cabernet from the masters of Gruner Veltliner in Austria. Through a love affair of Australia and Penfolds, this winemaking family, with over 220 years in Austria, purchased a block of land near McLaren Vale and planted a vineyard in 1995. Bert Salomon has become the ultimate flying winemaker, doing vintages in each hemisphere since 2002. Not a bad way to spend your time.
The soils of this vineyard are typically gravel and sand over red and orange sandstone, with the vineyard falling gently away towards the northwest, providing ideal exposure and plenty of warmth to ripen the grapes. Balanced by the cooling breezes which roll off the Southern Ocean in the late-afternoon, ensuring excellent acid retention.
There is a richness to this wine which is so enjoyable. It is very deep red in colour, with expressive aromas of blueberry and blackcurrant, with hints of dark chocolate. However, it is on the palate where this wine really shines, as it is just so drinkable. It finishes with lovely velvety tannins.
Like most Cabernets, there is always another variety blended in to help fill out the middle palate, in this case 10% Merlot. The wine is barrel aged for 18 months in 300-litre hogsheads (approx. 50% new French oak).
A very classy, elegant, moorish glass of wine.