21VineDriedCab

2021 Vine Dried Cabernet

$65.00 / bottle

It’s been five years since we last had the Vine Dried Cabernet, so we have been waiting (not so) patiently for this next vintage to be released…

Specifications Reviews Video

Specifications

Region

Region

McLaren Vale

Winemaker

Winemaker

Corrina Wright, 6th Generation

Grape Variety

Grape Variety

100% Cabernet Sauvignon

History

History

With 300 acres of premium grapevines on the Taranga property, the Oliver family has over 50 blocks representing different grape varieties, clones, soil types & vine ages. Each vintage, different varieties & blocks will show their strength and from this has been born the ‘SMALL BATCH’ range. These wines have been handcrafted to speak of both the variety and the vintage in which they have been produced.

Aroma

Aroma

Stewed mulberry, aniseed spice, liqueur cherries and dried herbs.

Wine & Vintage

Wine & Vintage

We finally heard all your calls for more or our rare beast, the Vine Dried Cabernet. Only made in 2006, 2013, 2017 and now 2021. Inspired by the ‘Amarone’ method that has been used for centuries in Italy, a portion of the vineyard was handpicked and then dried in air racks for 12 days. After the berries have concentrated and dehydrated, we pop them straight into the fermenter. Freshly picked grapes are crushed on top, and the yeasties get down to fermentation as normal. This means that the resultant wine is very concentrated Christmas pudding characters, with deep dark tannins and higher alcohol than usual. The Vine dried Cabernet will age forever.... if you can stop pulling it out of the cellar!!

Palate

Palate

Rich and mouth-filling, prunes and blackcurrant stems, nougat and cherry flavours abound. Encased in structural tannins, the aniseed character continues through the palate. All the Christmas pudding memories flood back. Very moreish and loads of cellaring life for those who like to age their wines.

The Year That Continued

The Year That Continued

In 2021 we were thrilled to join with a number of McLaren Vale wineries and businesses to form the 'McLaren Vale Cellar Door Tree Trail'. We all received worked with Willunga Environment Centre to identify and measure significant trees on our properties. Each tree now bears a tag that shows the species, age and height of the tree as well as the importance of the tree in relation to climate control evidence and other biodiversity factors.

Small Batch Production

Small Batch Production

3672

Colour

Colour

Deep maroon

Alcohol

Alcohol

15.5%

Reviews

Winemaker, Corrina Wright, is getting her Italian winemaking skills on to produce an Amarone-method style of Cabernet in the Vale. She has borrowed from Amarone della Valpolicella where grapes are picked, dried for an extended period until they have lost a lot of liquid and then slowly pressed and fermented. Corrina has embraced similar methods and produced one wild vinous ride: 15.5% in alcohol, super rich, dark and savoury. Earth, leather, dark spices, truffle and mushroom fill the senses on the first sniff. This is Cabernet as you rarely taste it. Flavours of fruitcake with slivers of sweet cherry nougat before the grape’s herbals and ripe tannins come into play. The finish arrives in a flurry of chocolatey, woodsy spice. You might say there’s a lot happening in this wine. 92 points

- Jeni Port

A really interesting style. It’s based on the famous Amarone style of Italy. In which the fruit is left to dry on the vines. In this case some of it was sun-dried and then dropped into a fermenter of newly picked grapes. The drying produces a slightly stewed fruit aroma with hints of liqueur cherry and black cherry. The finish is quite dry with a little alcohol warmth. 94 points

- Ray Jordan

It's not everyday you hear the word vine dried with Cabernet by its side but that's exactly what Corrina Wright has achieved here. Inspired by the Northern Italian practice of drying a portion of grapes on racks and adding them to the freshly picked berries. The result is a juxtaposition of leafy green blackcurrant stems, cedar sitting alongside dried boysenberries, prunes and bitter caramel. It’s pudding worthy and the grainy tannins allow for a muscular drink rather than sickly sweet like you’d imagine. Not for the faint hearted considering the Abv but definitely for the brazen. Drink with your boldest family members and make their Xmas this year. 91 points

- Shanteh Wale

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