Carrodus Cabernet Sauvignon 2017

Located in the Yarra Valley, about an hour east of Melbourne in Victoria, the vineyards for this wine are rooted in cool, well-drained slopes, among the oldest planted in the region. The Cabernet Sauvignon parcels come primarily from the estate's historic blocks, planted in clay-loam soils interspersed with gravel, offering a balance of ripeness and finesse. The cool, continental climate, tempered by the proximity of the Great Dividing Range, promotes slow ripening of the grapes and an elegant expression of the varietal.

The grapes are hand-harvested, carefully sorted, and destemmed before fermentation in small, open vats. Gentle pump-overs are used to extract fine tannins and precise aromas. Post-fermentation maceration extends contact with the skins to refine the structure. The wine is then transferred to mostly new French oak barrels, where it undergoes malolactic fermentation and extended aging, allowing for controlled oxidation, the development of aromatic complexity, and the polishing of the texture before bottling at the estate.

This wine reveals notes of ripe blackcurrant , blackberry , and black cherry , complemented by floral touches of violet and rose petals , as well as spicy nuances of pepper and clove . Woody accents of cedar , blond tobacco , and dark chocolate mingle with a subtle graphite structure. The palate displays a silky texture, fresh acidity, firm yet polished tannins, and a long, precise, and persistent finish.

Australia began producing wine more than two centuries ago. This has resulted in a country rich in old vines, multigenerational winemaking families, and a deep-rooted knowledge and respect for craftsmanship. Add to this a thirst for exploration and innovation, a fearless attitude, and a diverse portfolio of 65 wine regions across a wide range of climates, and you have the makings of an extraordinary wine nation. Australia burst onto the export scene in the 1980s and has since been offering the world vibrant, fruity, and exceptionally good-value wines. Until the late 1990s and early 2000s, the history of Australian wine was dominated by examples of Shiraz, Grenache, and overly concentrated red blends. Between these two extremes lies the diverse range of high-quality Australian wines and regional wines that has always existed. Australian viticulture is concentrated primarily along the southern coastline where conditions are cooler. There are four main wine regions, each centered around major cities: Western Australia around Perth, South Australia around Adelaide, Victoria around Melbourne, and New South Wales around Sydney. The country is one of the world's largest wine producers and was the fourth-largest exporter in 2011. This recent development has made Australia one of the most prominent countries for the quality of its wines. You can taste Australian wines throughout the country. Each Australian region has its own grape varieties. Australian wines are defined by their grape variety, unlike French wines, which are defined by their terroir.