Description
10th generation winemaker and native of Bordeaux, Dominique Portet is regarded as a pioneer of the renaissance of the Victorian Wine industry since 1976 when he was responsible for the renowned wines of Taltarni and Clover Hill. Ben Portet is now at the winemaking helm and, like many Australian-born winemakers, spent time overseas to experience other terroirs, including vintages at Louis Roederer and Warwick Estate in South Africa. They now craft fine cool-climate wines in the Yarra Valley and this medium bodied Cabernet has the goods.
Notes from the winemaker about this wine: “For us, the Fontaine wines represent the full breadth of the Yarra Valley by sourcing from a range of vineyards in both the northern and southern ends of the Valley. The sites are all north facing for maximum sunshine and are generally clay based soils with broken sandstone, allowing for excellent water retention. This enables the vines to handle summer drought and consistently deliver concentrated yet elegant wines.
“Not just Cabernet but Cabernets, a bright blend built for now, not your cellar. Juicy red fruit, silky tannins and a fresh finish make it seriously easy to enjoy, even chilled. A bright blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Malbec and Cabernet Franc, handpicked and cool-fermented to keep things fresh and aromatic. After time on skins, it matured in French oak for a year, giving gentle shape and smoothness.
“Sourced from our Gruyere and Coldstream vineyards, two of the Yarra Valley’s best areas for Cabernet-family varieties. These sites deliver bright fruit, fine tannins and the natural freshness that defines our Cabernets style.
“Cabernet Sauvignon leads with structure and clarity, Merlot rounds the palate, and small portions of Malbec and Cabernet Franc bring colour, lift and charm. The result is a smooth, vibrant and easygoing Cabernets blend.
“A cool, slow start and a mild, even summer let the fruit ripen gently in 2024. The slow, steady ripening created bright aromatics, fresh acidity and fine tannins, giving the blend its vibrant, balanced style.”
95 points, Philip Rich, Halliday Wine Companion “A blend of 60/29/6/5% cabernet sauvignon/merlot/malbec/cabernet franc. Matured in 15% French oak. An excellent edition of this perennially good and well-priced wine. A deep, bright crimson purple. Explodes from the glass with ripe blackcurrant fruit, violets and a hint of cedar. Medium bodied, with excellent verve and silky (for cabernet) long-chained tannins. Great now and over the next four to six years. One of the Yarra’s absolutely best buys.”
RRP $34 Our Special Price $27.99 when you buy 6 or more of this wine.
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