Balnaves Coonawarra Cabernet Sauvignon

The Balnaves' family vineyard is situated at the southern end of the famous Coonawarra 'Terra Rossa' strip. Planted in 1975, the vineyard is 48 hectares in size and has been in the family for three generations. The predominant variety planted is Cabernet Sauvignon. Winemaker Pete Bissell was the Qantas Winemaker of the Year 2005 and Balnaves was James Halliday's Winery of the Year in 2008.

Cabernet Sauvignon,

Since the planting of the first five hectares of vines in 1975, the Balnaves vineyards have grown steadily. Cabernet Sauvignon accounts for 70% of the area, with the remainder planted to Merlot, Shiraz, Cabernet Franc, Petit Verdot and a little Chardonnay. The estate is divided into small blocks of between one and two hectares, based on 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. For Balnaves, this practice proves the effect that microclimate and geological features have on the quality of the wine produced. The soils here are the famous rust-coloured, iron-rich Coonawarra ‘terra rossa’ soils.

Winter rains in the 2017-2018 vintage were again 20% higher than average and created a great start to the season with well irrigated soils. Cooler weather did however delay budburst with a late start to the season. On the 4th of November there was a late season frost which caused significant damage to vineyards across the Limestone Coast but fortunately no damage in Balnaves vineyards. Flowering and fruit set was very rapid, which was followed by a dry autumn, allowing the grapes to be harvested under warm dry conditions and wines being left on the skins longer than usual.

Cabernet Sauvignon was picked from Old paulownia, Dead Morris, Walker and Vortmann blocks and matured in 44% new tight grained French oak for 14 months prior to light egg fining and bottling.

Deep, dark purple red, the nose is very dense and plush with aromatics of cassis and blackberry and a touch of liquorice and fine integrated coffee from the oak. The palate is dense and rich with great depth of cassis, blackberry fruit and fine grainy tannins.