James Halliday Wine Companion 2020

95 / 100

“A sleek, taut wine of perfect proportions: 82% cabernet and 18% merlot, toned by 12 months in tight-grain Troncais and Jupiles French oak. Few in Coonawarra manage tannins like Pete Bissell. Fine-boned, ripe tannins that serve as a vector of quality, chaperoning currant, damson plum, anise, bitter chocolate and a swathe of dried herb flavours to a long, effortless finish of grace over bluster; energy over heft; a pucker rather than a rasp; a grin over a grimace. Lovely wine!”

Wine Details

• Region Coonawarra, South Australia
• Vintage 2016
• Type Red Wine
• Variety Cabernet Merlot
• Volume 750ml
• Alcohol Volume 14%
• pH

  3.49

• Acidity

  5.82 G/L

• Closure ScrewCap
• Background

  The Balnaves Coonawarra Vineyard was established in 1975, and is situated at the southern end of the Coonawarra Terra Rossa strip. The family, which has been associated with the district since 1855, remains fully committed to a high level of ‘hands-on” involvement.

• Winemaking

  Vintage 2016 was warm early, with cool night-time temperatures following later in the season resulting in fruit harvested late March. Cabernet Sauvignon from our ENTAV 338 vineyard and Dead Morris, (82%) was blended with Entav 181 Merlot (18%). This wine spent 12 months in tight-grain Troncais and Jupilles French oak before bottling in December 2017.

• Tasting Notes

  Deep rich red in colour, the nose is fine with aromas of pure cassis, violets, raspberries, combined with fine subtle mocha-coffee French oak. The palate has dark black fruit, liquorice and a fleshy roundness from the merlot.

• Peak Drinking / Cellaring Potential

  This wine will reward careful cellaring and we recommend decanting before drinking.

• Awards

  Cabernet Awards.pdf