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Region: Australia - South Australia - McLaren Vale
Grapes: 100% Cabernet
Alcohol: 14.5%
Notes on the Wine
The High Trellis vineyard has been producing grapes since the late nineteenth century. It was nicknamed “The High Trellis” as its vines were the first at d’Arenberg to be trained above knee-height in the 1890s.
Small batches of grapes are gently crushed and then transferred to five ton headed down open fermenters. These batches remain separate until final blending. Foot treading is undertaken two thirds of the way through fermentation. The wine is then basket pressed and transferred to old American oak barriques to complete fermentation. The barrel ferments are aged on lees, and there is no racking until final blending. This wine does not undertake fining or filtration prior to bottling.
This wine has a pretty nose, with lifted cassis and blueberry aromas. The palate is medium bodied and fresh, showing mulberry, black cherry and sage. There's nice fruit intensity, with vibrant acidity and plenty of spice. The finish is long and mouth-watering.
Notes on the Producer
d'Arenberg is one of the undisputed kings of Australian Shiraz and other Rhone varieties that have historically defined the region. A century on, their vineyards have grown to some 450 acres in McLaren Vale, including Shiraz dating back to d'Arenberg's first plantings in 1912, and nearly one-third of McLaren Vale's old bush-vine Grenache. Fourth generation winemaker, Chester Osborn, recently converted all of the family's vineyards to organics and biodynamics and moved to solar energy in the winery. All the while, in terms of winemaking, not much has changed--all the wines are basket-pressed, the reds foot-trodden during fermentation; everything is done in small batches, leading to an impressive array of bottlings every year, each showing a different facet of McLaren Vale terroir. Having been inducted into Wine & Spirits Magazine's Hall of Fame for earning a place on its Top 100 Wineries nine times, this accolade is a reflection of d'Arenberg's revered reputation worldwide.
