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NOTES
This is another one of d’Arenberg’s wines named after the road which runs down by the side of that particular vineyard. We source from this vineyard a good proportion of our best Cabernet, which goes into this classic McLaren Vale red.
Over the past 50 years, d’Arenberg has released its High Trellis Cabernet to consistent acclaim. In the 1990’s we vinified a separately a parcel of Cabernet from the best fruit from the Coppermine Road vineyard and the rest of the Osborn vineyards. The best parcels of wine that make up the Coppermine Road Cabernet mostly come from a rare and nearly extinct extremely low-yielding clone which is characterized by its violet and anise perfume, concentration and great acidity.
We use the age-old process of foot –treading, which means the cap of skins on the fermenting juice are broken down by (wader-clad) feet to ensure the maximum flavour and colour from the skins is extracted.
The Coppermine Road Cabernet will most definitely benefit from a good stay in the bottle, and may very well throw a harmless deposit as fining and filtration have been kept to a minimum.
TASTING NOTES
Deep vibrant young deep red - purple colour, the nose shows intense blackcurrant fruit, slight cedary cinnamon spice barrel ferment & oak derived aromas, violet and mint scents as well as liquorice & chocolate smells. Primary Mulberry aromas are also evident on the palate. Combined with some blueberry, cassis and sweet rhubarb flavours dominating the typically rich & intense sweet, cedary middle palate flavours.
These are followed by a typically firm but fine- grained vibrant tannins, extended texture overlaying soft plum which deceptively disguise the rich powerful cassis and blackcurrant flavours. The emphasis is on powerful full- bodied varietal fruit flavour with totally integrated barrel fermented and oak matured characters falling into the subtle cedary, smoky and cashew spectrum.
After time in bottle The Coppermine Road Cabernet Sauvignon should gain more chocolate, truffle, cigar box and earth aromas and flavours. Nevertheless it should maintain its freshness, persistent flavour, linear acidity and varietal tannin hold. Mushroom, black olive, stewed rhubarb and cooked beetroot may also play a part. Varietal eucalyptus and bell pepper hints may also come to the fore but be well integrated with the other developing characters, maintaining an even palate weight with a seamless & persistently rolling length.
OTHER REVIEWS
Plummy-red colour, an immense cabernet wine with spiced, tarry, hung meat elements and fine-grained oak characters. "Aromas of pain grille, pencil lead, licorice, black currant, and blackberry liqueur. This leads to a flamboyant Cabernet with gobs of ripe fruit and notes of chocolate emerging. The wine has well-concealed tannins, excellent balance, and a 60-second finish!" -93 Points, Robert Parker, The Wine Advocate, October 2007
Plenty going on here; it smells varietal and earthy with bright black and blue fruits, cut flower stems, black jelly beans and cedar oak. On the palate medium to full bodied with red and black fruits, earthy leathery characters, violets, dried herb and good oak. It has very firm strong grainy tannins that dominate (at this stage), good freshness and excellent length of flavour. Everything in place but not even close to being ready to drink. A fine Cabernet made for the long haul. 94 Points, Gary Walsh, Winorama, January 20, 2008
A deep, rich and profoundly fruited cabernet whose dark, brooding aromas of cassis, dark plums and dark chocolate are backed by a hint of menthol. It’s firm and robust, with deep, powerful flavours of dark fruits, minerals and chocolate oak framed by drying, astringent and ironstone-like tannins!" –www.jeremyoliver.com.au
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