2021 Single Vineyard Hexham Cabernet Sauvignon
Classic Yarra Valley aromas of lifted blackcurrants and dark plums are balanced by a herbal edge. Silky tannins and a rich mouth feel of dark, brooding fruit with integrated supple oak adds power and a lengthy finish.
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[2021 Vintage] – 88 Points | Bronze Medal at 2023 International Cool Climate Wine Show
[2020 Vintage] – Gold Medal at European Wine Challenge 2022
[2020 Vintage] – 92 Points at Wines of Victoria Wine Show | Winestate Magazine, June 2022
[2020 Vintage] – 92 Points by Huon Hooke, The Real Review, March 2022
[2018 Vintage] – 92 Points by Jane Faulkner, 2021 Halliday Wine Companion
[2018 Vintage] – 92 Points by Nick Stock for JamesSuckling.com, Apr 2020
[2018 Vintage] – 93 Points by Mike Bennie, Wine Business Magazine Mar/Apr 2020
[2018 Vintage] – Silver Medal (93 Points) at Victorian Wine Show 2019
[2018 Vintage] – Bronze Medal at WineWise Small Vigneron Awards 2019
[2016 Vintage] – 93 Points by James Halliday, 2019 Halliday Wine Companion
“Bright cassis, blackcurrant/blackberry and crushed leafy fruit aromas, very cabernet and fresh, fruit-driven with a refreshing trace of peppermint. Medium bodied at the most, mild mannered and easy on the palate. On the other hand, modest concentration and a slightly short finish. Oak is scarcely noticeable. A very pretty, modern style of cabernet. 90 Points.”
Huon Hooke, The Real Review, August 2023 [2021 Vintage]
“Savoury, complex and balanced cab sauv with ripe varietal fruit, sweet oak and soft tannins. 92 Points.”
Wines of Victoria Wine Show, Winestate Magazine, Jul/Aug 2022 [2020 Vintage]
“Deepish red colour with a tint of purple. The bouquet is tobacco and cedar-driven, very cabernet and very elegant, cool-area in style. The wine is medium to full-bodied and there are serious drying savoury tannins that add structure and gravitas to the palate. Cassis deep in its core. A stylish wine. 93 Points.”
Huon Hooke, The Real Review, March 2022 [2020 Vintage]
“Dark, inky and opaque in the glass. Aromas of blackberry, soy, tobacco, lead pencil, brambles and cedar, quite alluring and complex. The palate has a real brooding darkness to it, graphite, blackberry, mulberry, all framed up by stuctured, firm tannins. There’s a coolness to the fruit character and a touch of cabernet leafiness. Very smart gear. 92 Points.”
Aaron Brasher, The Real Review, November 2021 [2019 Vintage]
“Deep dark purple crimson. A youngster. Tight and took a while to unwind in the glass. Has stayer and keeper written all over it. Deep intense currants, plums, mocha and dark chocolate, in a complex set of aromas. The oak is there prounounced and forward. The tannin structure is fine and grainy.
Drinks well overall, a bigger more powerful Cabernet however in a classic cigarbox type of way. Time will do lots of good here and create intricacy and the elegancy in development. If you have the patience this will reward. Drinks ok now as I said but I would put a few bottles somewhere cool and stable and take one out every year and you will see even more good things to come. Try this with grilled Angus beef. 92 Points.”
Paul Ippolito, November 2021 [2019 Vintage]
“What a brilliant Yarra Valley cabernet sauvignon… Lively, inky purple colour, big attractive bouquet of plums and blackcurrants with a sprinkling of exotic spices. Divine palate oozing with rich black and red berry flavours, svelte tannins, a hint of savouriness and none of the green characters so often found in Yarra Cabernet. A complete and classy package. BLOODY GORGEOUS!”
Dan Traucki, October 2021 (2019 Vintage)
“Somewhat closed, yet eventually opens to reveal a core of blackberry compote and spiced currants, freshly cut herbs and loads of dark chocolate (plus charry oak). Medium-bodied with sweet, supple tannins; just a slight bitter green walnut character pinches the finish. 92 Points.”
Jane Faulkner, Halliday Wine Companion, August 2020 [2018 Vintage]
“Fresh lifted leaf, blackcurrant and fine, silky tannin. A wine with intensity and a well rounded palate. Great length. 92 Points.”
Travis Fuller & Scott McWilliam, Drinks Trade | Tasting Bench, July 2020 [2018 Vintage]
“This is an attractively ripe cabernet with ample blueberry, blackberry and mulberry aromas, as well as some gently sappy, floral and herbal notes. The palate has easygoing plushness with a ball of ripe cassis and redcurrant flavor, cast amid sweeping, curvy tannins. 92 Points.”
Nick Stock for JamesSuckling.com, Apr 2020 [2018 Vintage]
“A terrific Yarra Cabernet that sits at the fuller end of the regional spectrum but offers the requisite sinewy tannin and bright acidity to lend tension and length to the wine. Redolent of cassis and violets, green herb and faint mocha, the palate feels similar in character tied neatly by those fantastic tannins. Good drinking here. 93 Points.”
Mike Bennie, Wine Business Magazine, Mar/Apr 2020 [2018 Vintage]
“The nose is ripe but quite leafy, leading into a palate that is fresh, varietal and well balanced. It’s almost green, but stays on the ripe side of the line.”
Lester Jesberg, Winewise, November 2019 (2018 Vintage)
“Epitome of Yarra Cab Sav with a great vibrant bouquet of red berries, dried herbs & a hint of oak. Silky smooth palate with oodles of flavour, a steel fist in a velvet glove, & a superb tight & powerful finish. AN ABSOLUTE RIPPER!!”
Dan Traucki, Sept 2019 (2018 Vintage)
“From the Hexham Vineyard at Gruyere, 40% new oak. Chocolate and blackcurrant on the bouquet, with herbal, minty notes in the background and a dash of spicy, toasty oak. Quite plush and forward on the palate, ripe blackcurrant continuing to be the main theme, flanked by more savoury elements. The guiding hand of soft-edged tannin persists through the finish.”
Halliday Wine Companion 2019 (2016 Vintage)
2021
Winter was wetter and warmer than the 25-year average, building the water table with spring cooler than normal, slowing down the vegetative cycle. These coolness persisted into summer with some abnormal drenching rains in January adding to the mild temperatures.
February witnessed no rain to speak of setting up for a calm harvest through March. The crop was slightly heavier than normal due to January rain although the crunch of natural acidity from a cooler season helped set up good natural fermentation and ultimate wine balance.
[2021 Vintage] – 88 Points | Bronze Medal at 2023 International Cool Climate Wine Show
[2020 Vintage] – Gold Medal at European Wine Challenge 2022
[2020 Vintage] – 92 Points at Wines of Victoria Wine Show | Winestate Magazine, June 2022
[2020 Vintage] – 92 Points by Huon Hooke, The Real Review, March 2022
[2018 Vintage] – 92 Points by Jane Faulkner, 2021 Halliday Wine Companion
[2018 Vintage] – 92 Points by Nick Stock for JamesSuckling.com, Apr 2020
[2018 Vintage] – 93 Points by Mike Bennie, Wine Business Magazine Mar/Apr 2020
[2018 Vintage] – Silver Medal (93 Points) at Victorian Wine Show 2019
[2018 Vintage] – Bronze Medal at WineWise Small Vigneron Awards 2019
[2016 Vintage] – 93 Points by James Halliday, 2019 Halliday Wine Companion
“Bright cassis, blackcurrant/blackberry and crushed leafy fruit aromas, very cabernet and fresh, fruit-driven with a refreshing trace of peppermint. Medium bodied at the most, mild mannered and easy on the palate. On the other hand, modest concentration and a slightly short finish. Oak is scarcely noticeable. A very pretty, modern style of cabernet. 90 Points.”
Huon Hooke, The Real Review, August 2023 [2021 Vintage]
“Savoury, complex and balanced cab sauv with ripe varietal fruit, sweet oak and soft tannins. 92 Points.”
Wines of Victoria Wine Show, Winestate Magazine, Jul/Aug 2022 [2020 Vintage]
“Deepish red colour with a tint of purple. The bouquet is tobacco and cedar-driven, very cabernet and very elegant, cool-area in style. The wine is medium to full-bodied and there are serious drying savoury tannins that add structure and gravitas to the palate. Cassis deep in its core. A stylish wine. 93 Points.”
Huon Hooke, The Real Review, March 2022 [2020 Vintage]
“Dark, inky and opaque in the glass. Aromas of blackberry, soy, tobacco, lead pencil, brambles and cedar, quite alluring and complex. The palate has a real brooding darkness to it, graphite, blackberry, mulberry, all framed up by stuctured, firm tannins. There’s a coolness to the fruit character and a touch of cabernet leafiness. Very smart gear. 92 Points.”
Aaron Brasher, The Real Review, November 2021 [2019 Vintage]
“Deep dark purple crimson. A youngster. Tight and took a while to unwind in the glass. Has stayer and keeper written all over it. Deep intense currants, plums, mocha and dark chocolate, in a complex set of aromas. The oak is there prounounced and forward. The tannin structure is fine and grainy.
Drinks well overall, a bigger more powerful Cabernet however in a classic cigarbox type of way. Time will do lots of good here and create intricacy and the elegancy in development. If you have the patience this will reward. Drinks ok now as I said but I would put a few bottles somewhere cool and stable and take one out every year and you will see even more good things to come. Try this with grilled Angus beef. 92 Points.”
Paul Ippolito, November 2021 [2019 Vintage]
“What a brilliant Yarra Valley cabernet sauvignon… Lively, inky purple colour, big attractive bouquet of plums and blackcurrants with a sprinkling of exotic spices. Divine palate oozing with rich black and red berry flavours, svelte tannins, a hint of savouriness and none of the green characters so often found in Yarra Cabernet. A complete and classy package. BLOODY GORGEOUS!”
Dan Traucki, October 2021 (2019 Vintage)
“Somewhat closed, yet eventually opens to reveal a core of blackberry compote and spiced currants, freshly cut herbs and loads of dark chocolate (plus charry oak). Medium-bodied with sweet, supple tannins; just a slight bitter green walnut character pinches the finish. 92 Points.”
Jane Faulkner, Halliday Wine Companion, August 2020 [2018 Vintage]
“Fresh lifted leaf, blackcurrant and fine, silky tannin. A wine with intensity and a well rounded palate. Great length. 92 Points.”
Travis Fuller & Scott McWilliam, Drinks Trade | Tasting Bench, July 2020 [2018 Vintage]
“This is an attractively ripe cabernet with ample blueberry, blackberry and mulberry aromas, as well as some gently sappy, floral and herbal notes. The palate has easygoing plushness with a ball of ripe cassis and redcurrant flavor, cast amid sweeping, curvy tannins. 92 Points.”
Nick Stock for JamesSuckling.com, Apr 2020 [2018 Vintage]
“A terrific Yarra Cabernet that sits at the fuller end of the regional spectrum but offers the requisite sinewy tannin and bright acidity to lend tension and length to the wine. Redolent of cassis and violets, green herb and faint mocha, the palate feels similar in character tied neatly by those fantastic tannins. Good drinking here. 93 Points.”
Mike Bennie, Wine Business Magazine, Mar/Apr 2020 [2018 Vintage]
“The nose is ripe but quite leafy, leading into a palate that is fresh, varietal and well balanced. It’s almost green, but stays on the ripe side of the line.”
Lester Jesberg, Winewise, November 2019 (2018 Vintage)
“Epitome of Yarra Cab Sav with a great vibrant bouquet of red berries, dried herbs & a hint of oak. Silky smooth palate with oodles of flavour, a steel fist in a velvet glove, & a superb tight & powerful finish. AN ABSOLUTE RIPPER!!”
Dan Traucki, Sept 2019 (2018 Vintage)
“From the Hexham Vineyard at Gruyere, 40% new oak. Chocolate and blackcurrant on the bouquet, with herbal, minty notes in the background and a dash of spicy, toasty oak. Quite plush and forward on the palate, ripe blackcurrant continuing to be the main theme, flanked by more savoury elements. The guiding hand of soft-edged tannin persists through the finish.”
Halliday Wine Companion 2019 (2016 Vintage)
2021
Winter was wetter and warmer than the 25-year average, building the water table with spring cooler than normal, slowing down the vegetative cycle. These coolness persisted into summer with some abnormal drenching rains in January adding to the mild temperatures.
February witnessed no rain to speak of setting up for a calm harvest through March. The crop was slightly heavier than normal due to January rain although the crunch of natural acidity from a cooler season helped set up good natural fermentation and ultimate wine balance.
Accolades
Accolades
Experience This Wine
The wine is full of defined blackcurrant flavours with the trademark Yarra Valley savoury edge. Rich and powerful on the palate, with silky tannins and an elegant, lengthy finish.
A mouth-watering Moussaka with layers of eggplant, potato, zucchini and rich tomato based lamb mince.
Cabernet Sauvignon can be called the ‘King’ of red wines as it is the most widely planted red variety in the world. The Yarra Valley has long been an excellent location for the variety dating back to the mid 1800’s. Although we have a shorter summer in the Valley, it is the hot days in the middle of the season that enable us to get the Cabernet Sauvignon ripe.
This Cabernet is produced from some of the oldest vines on our Hexham vineyard which gives the wine concentration and depth of flavour. We age it for 15 months in premium French oak to allow the newer portion (30%) to fully integrate and soften the tannins.
The wine is full of defined blackcurrant flavours with the trademark Yarra Valley savoury edge. Rich and powerful on the palate, with silky tannins and an elegant, lengthy finish.
A mouth-watering Moussaka with layers of eggplant, potato, zucchini and rich tomato based lamb mince.
Cabernet Sauvignon can be called the ‘King’ of red wines as it is the most widely planted red variety in the world. The Yarra Valley has long been an excellent location for the variety dating back to the mid 1800’s. Although we have a shorter summer in the Valley, it is the hot days in the middle of the season that enable us to get the Cabernet Sauvignon ripe.
This Cabernet is produced from some of the oldest vines on our Hexham vineyard which gives the wine concentration and depth of flavour. We age it for 15 months in premium French oak to allow the newer portion (30%) to fully integrate and soften the tannins.
