Clairault Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon 2020

Blend

100% Cabernet Sauvignon 

Vineyard

A1 block, Clairault Vineyard, Wilyabrup

Growing

We hand-pick the Houghton clone Cabernet Sauvignon from the A1 block. These vines were first planted in 1976, making them one of the oldest plantings in Margaret River. The site is ideally suited to Cabernet, sitting atop a hill with well-drained loamy gravel and granite soils. The A Block has been carefully developed on an open lyre trellis system to balance the solarisation and cooling sea breezes.

Winemaking Note

The fruit is hand-picked, de-stemmed and crushed, so that each berry is just split. The 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. Ageing follows in 50% new French barriques for 18 months before being bottled.

Vintage

The 2020 vintage was unforgettable. The region experienced a perfect growing season with warmer than average spring temperatures and ideal summer conditions. Little to no rain, low disease risk and timely flowering of the Marri trees to distract the birds, eased pressure in the vineyard. The relative ease of vintage was in stark contrast to the happenings of the world at the time, with ferocious bushfires ravaging the East Coast and the Covid-19 outbreak unravelling. Yields were down in 2020 resulting in exceptional fruit concentration. 

Aroma

Black currants, mulberries, liquorice and cocoa nib.  

Palate

Graphite and layers of firm yet poised tannin introduce a tightly wound palate dripping in black fruits, dark chocolate and cassis. Ethereal tendrils of fine grain oak, glazed cherries and ironstone deliver a finish built for the ages. 

Cellaring

Enjoyed for its freshness now, or cellar up to 20 years for further complexity.

Alcohol

14.5%