Description
The Cabernet Sauvignon grapes are grown exclusively on the Elderton Vineyard situated on the banks of the North Para River. A proven consistent performer, the 2013 will continue this trend.
The Elderton vineyard has very old deep alluvial soils over limestone with the majority of the Cabernet Sauvignon vines ranging between the ages of 35 of 50 years. With a Mediterranean climate, the Beaume reaches 13.50 to 14.50.
The 2013 growing season was hot and dry with low crops allowing great varietal expression. The grapes from the Estate were picked and crushed into concrete open fermenters, having a 24-hour cold soak before inoculation. Heading down boards were utilized after two days to keep the cap submerged, making finer tannin extraction without hard phenols. Splashing-over of the wine helped increase oxygen and circulation through the skins. The wine was then pressed to French oak barrels for the malolactic fermentation and racked three times over the next 18 months, before final blending and bottling. The 2013 shows the classic Barossa Cabernet characteristics of blackberries, cassis, and beetroot earthiness and is drinking well today but will cellar well for 10+ years.
