Normans Holbrook’s Road Cabernet Sauvignon 2016

Normans Wines is one of the oldest and most respected family names in Australian winemaking. Since 1853, when Jesse Norman planted his first vines in Adelaide, Normans Wines has developed a reputation for premium award winning Australian wines. Normans Wines is one of Australia’s founding winemakers.

Winemaker: John Harris

Variety: Cabernet Sauvignon

Region: South Australia

Winemaker’s Notes

Colour: Brick red with maroon core.

Bouquet: Lush varietal characters of chocolate, blackberry and subtle plum and mint notes. The background use of oak adds complexity and richness to the wine without being an obvious element.

Palate: This fruit driven wine shows the ripe blackberry, red currant and plum fruit typical of quality Cabernet Sauvignon with hints of spice, mint and chocolate characters. The palate is of medium weight, fresh and lively with smooth supple tannins. The overall length of flavour and character show great balance and finesse between fleshy fruit, tannin and oak, which are all playing a part.

Cellaring Potential: Made to drink upon release whilst the fruit flavour is at its most fresh and vibrant but will reward cellaring over the medium term.

Winemaking Details: The fruit was picked in the cool of night then fermented on skins in static potters and rotary fermenters for a period of seven days to retain as much of the luscious natural fruit flavour as possible. Warm temperatures at the early stages of fermentation along with three days of post ferment maceration helped develop soft fleshy fruit and tannins while helping build structure. Following the pressing process, clarification and final blending the fruit was matured with select parcels having contact with mature French oak.

Serving Suggestion: A great partner for full bodied rich meat dishes. I suggest pairing it with a delicious homemade beef pie with carrot, potato, peas and crisp pastry.