2019 The Caley Cabernet Sauvignon Shiraz

77% Cabernet Sauvignon, 23% Shiraz. Winemaker Kevin Glastonbury. Cabernet Sauvignon from Coonawarra (planted 1994, own rootstock), Shiraz from Barossa (Barossa Valley, planted 1974 and 1971 on own rootstock, and Eden Valley). ‘2019 in Coonawarra is highly regarded.’ Cool winter with average rainfall; summer sunny and dry. Yields slightly below average. In Barossa, cool winter and lower rainfall than average; mild and dry weather through the growing season; sunny and dry summer. Cabernet picked 9 April; Shiraz Barossa Valley 22 February; Shiraz Eden Valley 12 March. Cabernet Sauvignon: 7-tonne open-top plunge fermenters. Shiraz: 6-tonne static fermenter and 2.5-tonne wooden vat. Average 10 days on skins. Aged for 19 months in French oak barriques (24% new). Blackish crimson Very stark and dramatic. Very obvious oak influence. Tight and concentrated. Still embryonic. (JR)

The 2019 The Caley Cabernet & Shiraz comprises 77% Coonawarra Cabernet Sauvignon, the balance 23% Barossa Shiraz (included in this a small component of Eden Valley). The Coonawarra component is from a 2.7-hectare plot planted in 1992 on a patch of dirt with higher clay content than the traditional terra rossa soils. This matured for 19 months in 24% new French barriques, the balance for one year and in older barriques. Aromatically, the wine leads with fruit instead of oak, with dark chocolate, dark berries and exotic spice coloring the bouquet. In the mouth, the wine is texturally svelte: while the tannins are profuse, they are finely milled and quite elegant. It is clear the season was warm, in that this is quite robust, but it is also powerful and sleek too. So, there exists a contrast of experience here. Very good. 14% alcohol, total acidity 6.54, pH 3.55, sealed under natural cork and wax.

This young 2019 The Caley is a confident blend of 77% Coonawarra Cabernet 23% Barossa Shiraz. It is a baby with its tight and effortless core of blackcurrant, gravel and clove aromas with well encapsulated new oak. Truly seamless and vibrant with a plume of plush tannins which feel a little more open-knit than the outstanding 2018 vintage, it is a true claret style that will build in stature over at least the next decade.