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NOTES
Parker Coonawarra Estate has achieved an unmatched reputation both within Australia and overseas where fine wines are revered for integrity and consistently superb quality. Commercial constraints played no part in the development of Parker Coonawarra Estate. John Parker, whose many years involvement in the wine industry resulted in a desire to produce a premium wine from Australia's premier red wine district culminated with the release of the 1988 "Terra Rossa First Growth" in 1991.
The Parker Estate Vineyard, situated at the Southern end of Coonawarra, was established in 1985 on the rich Terra Rossa soil over limestone of Coonawarra and carries Cabernet Sauvignon as the predominant variety with minor plantings of Merlot and Petit Verdot.
Each vintage small quantities of the best fruit is selected for the Terra Rossa First Growth. If in any one year the grapes do not reach the high standard set, then no Terra Rossa First Growth is made, as was the case in 1992, 1995, 1997, 2002 & 2003 . In those years the wine released was under the Terra Rossa Cabernet Sauvignon label.
TASTING NOTES
Integral to the style and quality of the Parker wines has been the unique meso climate of its vineyard located in the southern part of the Coonawarra. Whilst the famous cigar shaped Terra Rossa strip is quite compact (1.5 x 15 kilometres) there are noticeable climatic and soil differences within the strip that impart unique qualities on the wines. Compared to the central and northern parts of Coonawarra Parker’s southerly site is less prone to frost and has a higher median temperature and benefits from crucial additional hang time with ripening occurring up to 10-14 days later.
A wet winter started season 2005 with good rains recharging the aquifer, the best refill in at least three years. Generally dry conditions followed with very good canopies and good leaf area. March and April produced typical “Indian Summer” weather dry and warm, ideal conditions for ripening. The grapes were harvested in early April. Following a warm fermentation slightly more than half of the grapes had a long maceration of 30 days and the balance on shorter 10 day maceration on skins. Individual parcels were matured in French oak (60% new) for 20 months before blending. The assembled blend was returned to oak before egg fining and bottling.
A blend of 93.5% Cabernet Sauvignon, 3.9% Merlot and 2.6% Petit Verdot, The Terra Rossa Cabernet Sauvignon is a deep crimson red colour with purple hues. The nose is complex with sweet cassis fruit mingled
with a touch of earth and blackcurrant and fine integrated vanillin oak. The palate is rich and generous, displaying notes of chocolate, red berries and a touch of white pepper. The wine is elegantly structured and balanced with firm tannins and a lengthy finish.
REVIEWS
Rich and generous, full of expressive cassis and blackcurrant fruit; silky tannins and quality oak; very long finish. Screwcap 15% Alc. 95 Points James Halliday, Australian Wine Companion 2009
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