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NOTES
The High Trellis paddock has been producing grapes since the late 19th century, and was nicknamed the High Trellis as its vines were the first to be trained above knee-height in the 1890’s. Over the last 4 decades or so the High Trellis Cabernet has been released to almost constant critical acclaim. Indeed, the first release of this wine, the 1968 wine won one of Australia’s most coveted wine show awards, the Jimmy Watson Trophy, at the 1969 Royal Melbourne Wine Show.
The High Trellis paddock Cabernet is generally the last to ripen each year on the d’Arenberg vineyards and is the basis for this wine. Traditional open fermenters using headed down boards and foot treading are used, to gently extract flavour, tannin and colour from the small berries as they ferment. The still fermenting grapes are pressed off skins by our 19th century ‘Coq’ and ‘Bromley & Tregoning’ basket presses before finishing fermentation in mainly older French and American oak. This is followed by maturation, blending and bottling at d’Arenberg. Because we use natural minimal processing methods, there may be a harmless deposit within the bottle. The High Trellis will most certainly benefit from further bottle ageing and decanting when served.
TASTING NOTES
A dense crimson red colour with purple tinges, it attacks the nose with lifted violets, mint and capsicum Cabernet edges above a rich, ripe blackberry, plum and liquorice ash base. Typical cassis and blackcurrant aromas are also evident. A little smoky vanillin oak and cinnamon smells help to give the wine great complexity and longevity. On the palate, mouth filling sweet blackberries, plums and blackcurrant flavours are highlighted by the rich, strong mid palate which is finely structured with firm fruit and oak tannin on the typically long, fresh young tangy finish. With ageing High Trellis develops brick red-brown colour and classical, elegant cigar-box, tobacco, coffee and mocha smells.
OTHER REVIEWS
"Top value. Big and boisterous; the taste is essentially rich chocolate and a jam tart red, full on alcohol and a dash of tannin. This is both a great quaff and a serious cabernet!" -Courier Mail
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