Tasting Notes
Aromas of red berry and black currant seasoned with dry savoury herbs and vanilla spice. The palate is layered with rich blueberry and plum fruits, hints of spice and long, fine guiding tannins.Cellaring
7-10 yearsWinemaking
Harvest occurred early April 2016. Small parcels are hand-picked and all batches are sorted to remove matter other than grapes before fermentation. Fermentation occurred in closed stainless steel fermenters. Selected parcels remained on skins post the fermentation to further enhance the tannin profile while others were pressed at dryness to capture fruit vibrancy. Each batch is matured separately in order to build a wine history over time. Barrel maturation - 18 months in 40% new and 60% older French oak barriques. After a light egg white fining and filtration, the wine is bottled.Product Reviews
"This wine is rich and succulent, without being the slightest bit overdone in any way. Lovely dense forest fruits aromatics. The palate is rich and chocolatey, though refined and composed at the same time. The tannins are papery and in balance with the fruit. A delicious red that will delight any wine lover. You could drink it now, though it will develop into an even more beautiful wine with bottle age."
95 Points - Toni Paterson
The Real Review
"Chocolatey expression of Margaret River cabernet. A touch round-shouldered but plenty of mid-palate heft. Gravel, blackcurrant, violets, mint and rounds of cocoa. A creek of tannin. Shape-wise it almost feels more shiraz-like than cabernet-like, though the flavour profile is pure cabernet, and Margaret River at that."
91+ Points - Campbell Mattinson
The Wine Front
"A complex wine both in terms of flavour and texture; soft but generous cassis/blackcurrant fruit is the prime mover, coupled with quality French oak. Cabernet tannins are in evidence, as they should be."
94 Points - James Halliday
Halliday Magazine - March 2019
"The vines at Leston in Margaret River are starting to pump some mighty good fruit into these wines. This is one of the best. Leafy black olive overlays the deeper blackcurrant on the nose, while the palate is delivered with superb control of sinewy tannins and lightly savoury oak. The fruit strikes out effortlessly to the long finish. Classically cabernet in structure and delivery on the palate."
93 Points - Ray Jordan
The Wine Guide 2019
"Full red colour with little purple in the rim, while the aromas are of fresh herbs, violet and greener bitter herbs such as angelica. Elegant, medium to full body, with tight structure and a firm tannin finish. A solid wine which is a tad unready at this stage. Very good potential."
92 Points - Huon Hooke
The Real Review
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