Winemakers
Adam Eggins
Technical Data
Acidity
6.92
Alcohol
14%
Sugar
0.6 g/L
Wakefield Wines
Wakefield Wines
Estate Cabernet Sauvignon 2014
Background
With the first planting of our vineyards in 1969, we set out on a journey to create authentic estate grown wines. Nothing prepared us for its overwhelming success, with the first vintage awarded a gold medal in every national wine show entered. While the range has since grown to include more varieties, every bottle is still crafted at our Clare Valley estate with the same care and attention as that very first vintage.
Appellation
Clare Valley, Australia
Varietal Composition
100% Cabernet Sauvignon
Vintage Notes
The growing season in the lead up to vintage 2014 saw average autumn and winter rainfalls on the Taylor family Clare Valley estate vineyards; only 4% above the long term averages. During winter, the average daily minimum temperature at the Estate was 2°C warmer than average, although the average daily maximum temperature was in line with long term averages, resulting in the first budburst occurring at the normal time of late August. From the outset, it was a vintage that felt more controlled as environmental factors played less of a role in determining when fruit was to be picked which is always the winemakers’ preference. Once the fruit started coming into the winery, early indications in terms of natural acidity and flavor profiles in the whites and color and tannin analysis in the reds were positive indeed.
Winemaking
Fermentation was carried out in the winery’s original “Potter” fermenters, which allow for excellent control of skin maceration and colur and tannin extraction. Some parcels were left on skins for a further 2 weeks to increase tannin structure of the overall wine. The wine was gently pressed to French oak barrels for completion of malolactic fermentation. Post MLF the wine was matured for at least 12 months in French oak barrels (10% new andremainingin 1 to 4 year old) prior to final blending and then preparation for bottling.
Tasting Notes
The wine has an aroma of rich blackcurrant, subtle spice, tomato leaf and a touch of eucalyptus. French oak maturation is also evident with subtle aromas of cedar and dark chocolate. Great intensity. It has distinctive blackcurrant and cassis fruit flavors. Subtle oak characters of cedar cigar box and spice are also evident. The tannins are fine and elegant – a hallmark of the varietal. The palate is well balanced, complex and fulfilling and lingers on the finish.
