2016 Graymoor Coonawarra Cabernet Sauvignon

The Story: “Named after our company owned vineyard in the Coonawarra. The Graymoor Vineyard was planted in 1988 and covers approx. 68 acres. Famous for its iconic ‘Terra Rossa’ soil and cool climate growing conditions, the Coonawarra is the ideal location for us to produce high-quality Chardonnay and Cabernet Sauvignon.” - Geoff Merrill

Vintage Information: In the Coonawarra, vintage 2016 commenced quite early, with a warmer than usual Spring advancing the whole season and harvest dates arriving a couple of weeks early. Pre-Christmas temperatures were warm which was ideal, with yields seeing a slight increase on some previous years.

Post-Christmas temperatures were milder with the combination of warm days and cold nights extended the ripening period while delivering very promising fruit across all varietals. Overall 2016 was another very good vintage.

Winemakers Notes: The colour is a very dark red with good depth and youthful bright red hues. The aroma shows ripe regional and varietal characters of roast red capsicum, mulberry, black currant, spice and hints of tomato leaf. Complementary oak characters of spice, toast and nuts adds depth and complexity to this complex wine.

The palate initially displays Coonawarra's characteristic length and acidity, then begins to relax and show it's generous depth of flavour and finely textured tannins. Blue fruits, spice and herbaceous flavours are complemented by subtle toasty, nutty oak. Give this wine some time to open up in the glass and see it grow.

Food Pairing: Enjoy with rich red meat dishes, hard cheese, wood oven pizza and strong Italian pasta.

Winemakers: Geoff Merrill & Scott Heidrich

Variety: Cabernet Sauvignon

Oak Treatment: Aged for 22 months in new (20%) and seasoned American and French oak hogsheads.

Region: Coonawarra

Harvest Date: April 2016

Alc: 14.5%, pH: 3.29, TA: 7.17 g/L, RS: 1.8 g/L