Additional information
| Weight | 1.547 kg |
|---|
2018 Clarendon Hills Sandown Cabernet Sauvignon
$100.00 / bottle
Planted in Blewitt Springs, McLaren Vale during the 1930’s the Sandown Cabernet Sauvignon site is populated by a rare pre-phylloxera Chateau Reynella Cabernet Sauvignon clone that expresses the ancient Blewitt Springs terroir with opulence and majesty. Low yielding, west facing old vines produce a powerful yet refined and elegantly composed, classic Cabernet Sauvignon with notes of black currant, graphite, slate, earl grey tea, sage and bay leaf mixed with cedar shaving and baking spice with a roast meat undertone that gives the wine power and presence.
Specifications
RegionRegion
Blewitt Springs, McLaren Vale. A sprawling hillside region 10 kms North East of McLaren Vale town centre famous for its added comparative elevation and abundant hillside aspects whose rich ironstone and deep sand deposits forge individual and highly fragrant wines. The Sandown Cabernet Sauvignon is a single site wine from an old vine patch planted in the 1930’s. These are pre-phylloxera, Reynella Clone Cabernet Vines.
Conditions
Wet conditions across 2017 winter saw moderate fruit set in late September. Warm conditions continued and veraison occurred early in 2018 and picking occurred shortly thereafter in early March. The full clusters ripened under perfect conditions with cool Summer nights and the 2018 wines demonstrate rich tannin profiles that are ripe and sweet enough to enjoy in youth. Layers of ripe berry fruit intensity and highly integrated structures and acidity.
Winemaking
Low yielding, dry grown vines from the Blewitt Springs region in McLaren Vale were hand-picked and followed by a 60% whole berry, wild yeast fermentation. All pressings were returned to barrel and eventually bottled onsite without fining or filtration after 18 months in French Oak.
Maturation
18 months, within a hierarchy of 1-3 year old tightly grained French Oak. Bottled at the winery with no fining or filtration.
Grape Variety
100% Cabernet Sauvignon, single vineyard, dry grown, old vines
Closure
DIAM
Production
6,000 bottles
Winemaker
Roman Bratasiuk
This has real depth and concentration, as well as purity of cassis and dark-cherry fruit with an overlay of roasting herbs and bay leaf. Distinctive cabernet. The palate has distinctive freshness and sanguine, powerful tannins that carry some cocoa powder-like tones. Fine and dry finish with bright, fresh acidity. Black-fruit finish. Drink over the next decade.
97/100
- James Suckling.com
We ignore cabernet and cohorts from the Vale at our peril. This maritime iteration, lifted by elevation and fine geologies, is very fine. A smoother sheath than its BDX sibling. Yet a rattle of gritty mineral precision is similarly defining its core. Full weighted, yet almost ethereal, so deft is the extraction. The oak, all class. Blackcurrant, mulberry, mulch, pencil shavings and porcini dashi laden with umami. Thickens as it opens, ladling kirsch, black olive and sage across the super finish. Settle in and nuzzle.
96/100
- James Halliday's Wine Companion
