2024 'Countryside' Cabernet Sauvignon

Countryside Cabernet Sauvignon is a wine that reflects the Clare Valley countryside – think the Aussie outback, dusty, gumtree’s, beautiful and laid back.

Picked early on 26th of Feb, which is quite early for Cab Sav. In 2023 we picked March 22nd, that tells you how good the weather was for ripening during December and January. We are seeing a more powerful style of Cabernet here, while not being too big and heavy. It’s a great year for balance of concentration, flavour, tannin and acid.

The wine has an almost blue like colour which is very fitting considering the flavour profile. Such a pretty, lifted nose, blueberries, blackberry, plumbs, a hint of the Clare valley herbaceousness and a touch of cassis. A happy medium bodied wine, with amazing layers of spice, dark fruit, subtle tannin, violet, floral notes and again acid that gives the wine freshness. Great Cabernet can be drunk young, but it will always age and offer greatness through its journey. Drink this wine now, but please put some in the cellar and let it take you on the journey.

Vineyard: Gullyview Vineyard, Watervale
Planted: 2014
Soil type: Terra Rossa, red clay on limestone
Picking date: February 26th, 2024
Picking method: Machine harvested 
Time on skins: 2 weeks
Processing: Crush and destemmed
Pressing: Free run and pressings combined
Settling: Settled off gross lees for 7 days
Fermentation: Open head stainless steel for weeks 2 weeks, pump overs twice a day for 5 minutes at a time.
Aging vessel: Slavonian oak 2000L foudre for 9 months
Filtration: Crossflow
Fining: No
Alc: 13.7% (STD DRNKS – 8.2)

93 Points - Katrina Butler (James Halliday)

"Progressive Clare cabernet that fits the brief for barefoot backyard drinks. It's crunchy with bright blackcurrant, violet, black cherry fruit and vibrant acidity, which sets it apart from the status quo.