
2019 Clairault Margaret River Cabernet Sauvignon
Blend
96% Cabernet Sauvignon
4% Cabernet Franc
Vineyard
Ironstone Vineyard, Wilyabrup
Clairault Vineyard, Wilyabrup
Winemaking Note
The fruit is harvested, de-stemmed and crushed, so that each berry is just split. This is to ensure minimal berry degradation during the fermentation process and to promote fresh, clean flavour production by our very specifically selected yeast strain. Our ferments are, by industry standards, cool and gentle, allowing slower, more controlled extraction of tannin and flavour. The wine is pumped over three times a day and then judiciously backed off as the wine develops.
This wine was on skins in the fermenter for 14 days, before gentle pressing and barrelling down. The result is clean, pure fruit flavours, boasting supple yet powerful tannin. The wine was aged in French oak barriques for 10 months before the wine was removed from barrels, clarified and bottled.
Vintage Conditions
The 2019 vintage required high attention to detail in the vineyard and highlighted the benefit of having four diverse vineyards across the Margaret River region. Weather patterns were inconsistent, presenting challenges in budburst and flowering throughout the winter and spring months. A lack of extreme temperatures in summer and autumn combined with leaf-plucking, shoot thinning and bunch thinning encouraged more even ripening. Nets were essential to protect fruit, with a lack of Marri blossom in the region to distract the bees and birds. The resulting low yields presented fragrant wines with succulent natural acidities.
Aroma
Graphite, glazed cherries, black currants and cocoa nib.
Palate
A driven palate of black and blue fruits, resting on a pristine lattice work of fine fruit tannin and bold flavours of black cherries, cedar and liquorice on the finish.
Cellaring
Up to 10 years, however we enjoy it for freshness now.
Alcohol
14.5%
Accolades
95/100 - James Halliday Wine Companion 2022