We maintain a small library of select back vintages in our cellars at Bannockburn Vineyards. This Cabernet Sauvignon based blend started life as a bold and structured expression but now with almost 10 years of maturity, the softness and suppleness of bottle age has come into play.

Viticulture

1976 and 1981 plantings of Cabernet Sauvignon, 1981 planting of Merlot and a 1996 planting of Shiraz contribute to this blend. The soils are a mixture of volcanic, dark loam and clay over limestone base.

Winemaking

Hand picked fruit was partially destemmed and partially left as whole clusters, and fermented on skins for an extended maceration. After pressing the juice was matured for one year in french oak barrels of various sizes. The wine has been matured in our cellars at Bannockburn Vineyards since being bottled.

Tasting Notes

We are always surprised by the quality of back vintage Cabernet based wines at Bannockburn and this wine is testament to that fact, whilst it has some maturity, the structure is firmly in place, acidity and balance of the wine is well in check and there is underlying cassis and violet typical of Cabernet Sauvignon, along side the plushness of Merlot and the pepper and savoury notes of Shiraz. A great value option, with a few years behind it, that will suit some big glasses, a carafe and the dining table.