2020 Stevens Road Cabernet Sauvignon

$90.00
$540.00

110 in stock

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This limited production single vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon demonstrates our philosophy of selecting only the very best rows from the very best blocks on the property. Sourced from our Stevens Road vineyard, 3km down the road from the Xanadu winery on the Boodjidup Brook, this wine offers a unique expression of the outstanding quality wine this special little vineyard is capable of producing. Only 6 barrels produced.

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  • Viticulture
  • Tasting Notes
  • Winemaking
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Viticulture

Cabernet Sauvignon 86%, Malbec 14%
2020
Margaret River
The growing season began with a late budburst after a relatively cold winter with reasonable rainfall. The cool spring which followed resulted in some uneven flowering and fruit set, and generally lower than average yields. We experienced a significant (and unusual) rain event mid-January which was timely due to the later season, and this was followed by some fine, mild weather to get vintage underway. There was a complete lack of Marri blossom leading up to and during harvest which meant that bird pressure was extreme! Bird-netting absolutely vital this season. There was a minor rain event coupled with high humidity mid- March which presented some challenges requiring careful fruit selection with some white varieties; however, this gave way to some beautiful weather right through till late April. All the Cabernet for this single vineyard is from the bottom of Block 3 at our Stevens Road Vineyard, which is situated on the Boodjidup Brook. We consider this mature, low yielding vineyard as our own Grand Cru site, as this tiny block (0.6 Ha) consistently produces some of our very best Cabernet each vintage, supplemented with a beautiful portion of Malbec from the same vineyard

Tasting Notes

Deep red with garnet hues
Wonderful aromas of forest fruits, blackcurrant pastilles and floral notes framed by high quality oak with hints of nori and tobacco in the background
Medium -full bodied, the generous yet elegant palate offers black plums, cassis and savoury berry fruits. The dark fruits combine with fine, graphite tannins culminating in a beautifully structured wine with a distinct, lingering Cabernet finish
Vibrant and robust in its youth, it is a wine which will certainly benefit from further bottle maturation and will cellar comfortably for 10+ years

Winemaking

13.5%
750ml
3.50
Fruit was crushed/destemmed before fermentation into a small, open fermenters for a 7-day ferment @ 24 - 28o C, during which time the cap was managed with regular, aerative, plunging by hand. The wine was gently pressed @ 2 Baumé and finished ferment in tank. Once dry, the wine was racked to fine French oak barriques (40% new) and matured for 14 months, before the blend was assembled. 6 barrels produced.

Professional Reviews

98
This was a very early vintage in Margaret River with the added issue of trying to get this done right at the start of Covid. But it’s as if nothing missed a beat, with the wine a triumph for vineyard and region. Black fruit on the nose with a subtle confectionery compote character. The palate is medium to full bodied with an enormous power and intensity held with control by a tight coil of tannin and oak. Dark fruit, graphite and a trace of oyster shell and bay leaf complete an outstanding wine. I love this vineyard and what it produces.
96
Not just vineyard specific, this is site-specific as the fruit comes off block 3 (a 0.6ha parcel), this vintage with 14% malbec. They are handsome companions, a bit like winemakers Glenn Goodall and Brendan Carr. Though the latter has moved on after 11 years at Xanadu, he did help make this wine. The inkiness of malbec and its dark cherry accents such a lovely foil to cabernet’s distinct flavour. This is enticing, partly because of its heady aromatics and varietal flavours à la Margaret River, but especially the tannins. They are fine, shapely and defined. The finish is long and the wine has a bright, long future.
96
95
Stevens Road is a good site for Cabernet, and I reckon it does very well in warmer years. Blackcurrant, boysenberry, seaweed and bay leaf, baking spices, aniseed and cocoa. It’s medium-bodied, supple and fleshy, emery board tannin, lots of dark fruit flavour with black olive and nori, clean acidity to balance, and a cool savoury finish of excellent length. Very good Cabernet here, svelte and charming.
95

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