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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.
As well as the famed Terra Rossa soil, the Parker vineyard has areas of clay pan and it is here where the Merlot clone Davis D3/V14 is planted. Merlot is ideally suited to clay pan and it has been one of the defining reasons for
the wine being considered a benchmark for this variety in the Coonawarra since the first release in 1998.
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 picked and fermented as a single parcel in small 8 tonne open topped static fermenters. The wine then spent seven days on skins before pressing to barriques for 20 months. Thee Parker Old Block Merlot parcel was blended with a small parcel of Cabernet Sauvignon for its strength and length to the palate before egg white fining and bottling.
A blend of 88.3% Merlot and 11.7% Cabernet Sauvignon, The Terra Rossa Merlot is a deep red with hints of purple. The aromas are intense and ripe with plum and liquorice and overtones of leather and vanillin spice oak. The palate is firm and concentrated with dark cherry, plum and hints of tobacco. Its lingering core of intense
fruit is supported by a complex structure, integrated tannins and an enduring sweet finish.
REVIEWS
Strong varietal character, right from the first sniff through to the finish and aftertaste; a mix of redcurranr and snow pea, with a hint of olive; good structure and texture. Screwcap 15% Alc. 94 Points James Halliday, Australian Wine Companion 2009
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