2022 Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon

Technical Details:

Harvest Date 5 March 2022| Alcohol 13.8% / Standard drinks 8.2

Maturation:

Matured in 33% new French oak and 66% 1-2 year old French oak for 20 months. The wine has been racked at bottling.

Background:

The Cabernet was planted in and was our earliest planting. The Cabernet has been grafted on a Poulsen rootstock and has a Smart Dyson trellis architecture, protecting the fruit from the afternoon heat using its foliage and exposing the fruit to the cool morning sun. The Cabernet Sauvignon is the LC10 clone which has provided small berries and low yields resulting in a signature variety well suited to Mt Pilot Estate. The Cabernet has been well supported by our customers over the last 24 years we have been making it.

Vintage:

The 2022 vintage was remembered for the wet winter and spring rains, always welcome at Mt Pilot, with the rain tailing off as December approached. Summer was very cool (no days above 40c) which supported the development of the grapes dark inky colour, very small berries, a long slow ripening period with no heat stress and good soil moisture. The hang time rewarded us with the best Cabernet Sauvignon we have produced over the years. The grapes yielded 4 tonnes/ha with the spring soil moisture setting up the canopy to provide enough shade to protect the fruit. The mild summer supported the development of some wonderful varietal flavours. Some supplementary irrigation was added.

Wine Description:

This is our first release of the Reserve Cabernet and one we are particularly proud of. The wine exhibits a classic Cabernet Sauvignon aroma with a flavour profile, dark berry spice hints of cedar, tomato plant, and capsicum and the beauty of French oak. The palate has very soft superfine tannins with length and opulent ripe flavours. Well suited to spring lamb, young venison, pork and cheeses.

Cellaring Potential:

A Very Good Vintage 2030