Description
The site of the vineyard was chosen after a chance conversation with Bill Pannell. Bill was the owner of Moss Wood winery and producing wines that were renowned throughout Australia and overseas. During a casual chat between the two men, Bill opined that the soils of one of the newly created properties were uniformly excellent and equal to those of the existing Moss Wood vineyard. Suitably impressed, Bruce decided to purchase the property immediately to the north of Moss Wood. The varieties selected for planting in 1982 were Chardonnay, Semillon, Sauvignon Blanc, Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot. Pinot Noir was also originally planted but was removed in line with Bruce’s decision to focus Lenton Brae production on the red and white Bordeaux wine styles
About this wine: The fruit is estate-grown here in Wilyabrup, with some supplemented fruit grown on our neighbour’s property. The vines are over 40 years old. They are grown on their own roots.
This wine is 98% cabernet sauvignon with a lick (2%) of malbec. The fruit was picked in the cool hours of the early morning and allowed to coldsoak for 48 hours before fermentation was encouraged. Gentle pumpovers, carried out to extract the tannins and colour throughout the fermentation, were watched carefully to ensure that the tannins remained soft yet structural. Fermentation took place in open, stainless-steel fermenters before the wine was gently pressed into a combination of new and older French oak barriques, where maturation ensued over the next 15 months.
This is a dark, brooding, and complex wine. On the nose, a combination of earthy and mushroomy (or even truffle-like) aromas are nestled amongst notes of cedar, wild raspberries, satsuma plums, and white pepper. On the palate the wine is firm and tightly coiled on the palate. There is a real juiciness to the primary fruit elements, which are evocative of plum, rhubarb, and wild mulberries. There is also a savoury edge to the wine, with the tannin and acid offering a profound tactile influence, while also lending drive and length to the finish. The tannins are varietally cabernet yet fine and controlled to enhance the palate. Pair it with seared crispy duck breast and a red wine jus.
RRP $38 Our Special Price $28.99 when you buy 6 or more of this wine
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