Crittenden Estate 2009 'Les Adieux' Cabernet

Vineyard

The grapes for this wine are 100% estate grown on our property at 25 Harrisons Rd Dromana. This special release wine marks the 26th and final cabernet harvest at Crittenden Estate prior to this block's subsequent grafting to 667 and pommard clone Pinot Noir. The grapes were picked late March 2009.

Fermentation

The grapes were destemmed without crushing to open fermenters and allowed a spontaneous ferment with daily plunging and pump-overs to increase intensity and structure. At "dryness" the must was pressed to a mixture of new and second use French Barriques (225 litres) where the malolactic ferment took place. The wine was stored in these barrels with accasional barrel to barrel rackings for clarification for a period of 22 months. Sulphur dioxide additions were made once the malolactic fermentation was complete. In April 2011 the wine was assembled in tank for a light filtration in preparation for bottling.

Bottling

May 2011. Sealed under screw cap.

Technical Information

Alc. Vol.13.5%

Ph: 3.50

Total acidity: 6.12 grams per litre

Winemaker's Tasting Notes

A flitting final vintage, this wine has a depth of flavour and ripeness that surely contradicts the long held belief that Mornington can't grow cabernet. Blackcurrant and tobacco spice are redolent on the nose, while the juicy acidity and puckering tannins provide the wine with amazing length and ageability. Although drinking well at present, this wine will certainly reward patient cellaring for up to ten years and where possible should be decanted an hour or two before drinking.

Rollo Crittenden