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NOTES
The inspiration behind this wine is the so-called 'garage wines' from Bordeaux, the home of the classic varieties used in this blend.
There they are produced in the shed or 'garage' of boutique winemakers dedicated to making small-volume wines of the highest quality. These wines are not 'Classified' by the governing wine authorities, yet are often the most sought after, highly priced wines in the world today.
d'Arenberg's galvanized, corrugated 'garage' was built in 1927, and to this day, houses are traditional open fermenters and 19th century basket-presses used in the handcrafting of this wine.
A blend of not only varietals, but also of regions, the larger proportion of the Cabernet Sauvignon in this wine, plus all of the Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot, was grown in our home region of McLaren Vale. The Merlot component and the remaining portion of Cabernet Sauvignon were sourced from the nearby cool-climate Adelaide Hills and Southern Fleurieu.
TASTING NOTES
Upon release, the wine has a deep, vibrant red-purple colour. The nose shows a complex array of blackcurrant, cassis, mulberries, dark plums, cherries and cut-flower stems. Subtle spices of cinnamon, nutmeg and cedar add complexity and show a potential for the wine to open more with time.
The wide array of fruits are seen immediately upon tasting and flow elegantly across the mouth in a silky way, gradually tightening in dark, fragrant, and lively dark-berry fruit tannins. The Bordeaux-like tannins are fine and plentiful, with an abundance of intertwined fragrant fruit hanging in the mouth well after the wine has been consumed: a very refreshing but classically styled wine that should age gracefully for many years.
As the wine ages, the fruit character will develop and become beautifully truffled with cigar box flavours, while maintaining the dark, fragrant fruits. The fine tannins will become subtler, making the fruit character even more prominent.
GOLD MEDAL WINNER – Korea Wine Challenge 2008
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