Description
Balnaves are a small family owned wine company in the heart of the famous Coonawarra Terra Rossa strip. First started in 1976. the vineyard has grown steadily and now covers a total of 56 hectares of Coonawarra Terra Rossa soil the principal variety planted is Cabernet Sauvignon. which accounts for 70% with the remainder taken up by Merlot. Shiraz. Cabernet Franc. Petit Verdot and Chardonnay. The vineyard is divided into small blocks of between one and two hectares. which take into account depth of soil. trellis design. vine clone and row direction. The quality of wine produced from these small blocks is evaluated each year and recorded. This practice proves the validity of the French concept of “terrior ” or the effect that microclimate. geological features and other factors have on the quality of the wine produced. Such effects are clearly seen in the small Balnaves vineyard at Coonawarra.
95 points James Halliday “Full crimson purple. co fermented with a small percentage of viognier. and matured in (roughly) one third each new. one year old and two year old high quality French oak. It is a style I have always liked. its supple mouthfeel. generous black fruits and soft tannins coming together with the oak in a harmonious finish. ”
92+ points. Gary Walsh. The Wine Front “So far. so good with the 2009 Coonawarra vintage. Vanilla. pepper. blackberry. cedar. some perfume and apricot. licorice ⬠attractive smelling wine. Then medium bodied with (too) bright acidity and dense furry tannin. but for all that it seems quite smooth and suave. The shape and finish both good. Needs a little bottle age to settle. but plenty of potential here. ”
94 points Tyson Stelzer “When it ‘s on form. Coonawarra shiraz is blessed with enchanting restraint and legendary longevity. More chiselled and linear than ever. Balnaves 09 is a focused shard of blackberries. plums nutmeg and pepper. Pete Bissell has conjured the most refined oak balance this label has ever seen. 2019 2024 ”
RRP $30
