2018 Roennfeldt Road Cabernet Sauvignon

The vines were planted in the 1960s on red clay mixed with alluvial loam. We find that the loam gives the wine freshness in the guise of vibrancy and floral notes. Our old Cabernet Sauvignon clone is more akin to its parent, Cabernet Franc. This shows up as violets and blueberries in the wine.

The 2018 matured in two French barrels, one of which was new.

The nose gives an impression of tightness allied to concentration. There is violet, lemon myrtle, raspberry, redcurrant, blackcurrant pastille and grilled red capsicum, as well as char, cedar and spiced mead. The palate is intense, structured, even and long, coming off like a tunnel of flavour around very good, pure Cabernet fruit. A touch of spearmint, lemon-myrtle zing and fine, slightly chalky tannins round out a distinctive, complex and convincing Cabernet Sauvignon.

Cellaring recommendation: 15 years plus