AU
New Zealand
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97 Points
97+ points. Erin Larkin, Robert Parker Wine Advocate
"it was the ‘Goldilocks’ season where everything was just right." Julian Langworthy
"It has a glittery, purple, shimmering sort of vibrancy to it, as if lit by its own inner light. Margaret River is at its greatest when wines are like this." Erin Larkin, Robert Parker Wine Advocate
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Description
The 2023 vintage—it is a thing... as is this wine. In seasons when you can wait, pause, and assess the grapes for perfect tannin ripeness, you know something special is happening. Not too hot, not too cold, it was the ‘Goldilocks’ season where everything was just right. In this instance, from what I see as the best part of the Sheoak Vineyard slope, we have crafted an effortless wine with the finest of tannin structures.
We commenced picking Sheoak Cabernet on the 6th of April, relatively early given the even nature of the vintage. The wine is darkly colored yet wonderfully fine and ethereal from the outset. Instantly perfumed and richly hued, it spent 14 days on skins with a peak fermentation temperature of around 26°C. The wine was pressed to tank, settled briefly, and then transferred to a combination of new (25%) and two- and three-year-old barrels to undergo malolactic fermentation. It was racked only once during this time and, after 16 months in oak, was emptied from barrel. Only the best barrels were selected for the final blend. The wine was then settled, clarified, and bottled.
The Sheoak Vineyard produces expressive, medium-bodied, silky-structured wines. For me, this is the perfect incarnation: dark fruit flavors and high notes of cassis and warm spice frame this fine and completely poised vintage of the Nocturne SV. While it’s amazingly accessible on release, this wine would benefit from 5 to 8 years of further maturation, which will truly allow it to shine.
– Julian Langworthy
Tasting Profile
- Light
- Full
- Low Tannin
- Tannic
- Sweet
- Dry
- Low Acidity
- High Acidity
Aroma:Baked Plum, Blackberry, Meaty
Palate:Black Fruits, Blackberry, Spice
Food Pairings:
Cheese
Game
Red Meat
Description
The 2023 vintage—it is a thing... as is this wine. In seasons when you can wait, pause, and assess the grapes for perfect tannin ripeness, you know something special is happening. Not too hot, not too cold, it was the ‘Goldilocks’ season where everything was just right. In this instance, from what I see as the best part of the Sheoak Vineyard slope, we have crafted an effortless wine with the finest of tannin structures.
We commenced picking Sheoak Cabernet on the 6th of April, relatively early given the even nature of the vintage. The wine is darkly colored yet wonderfully fine and ethereal from the outset. Instantly perfumed and richly hued, it spent 14 days on skins with a peak fermentation temperature of around 26°C. The wine was pressed to tank, settled briefly, and then transferred to a combination of new (25%) and two- and three-year-old barrels to undergo malolactic fermentation. It was racked only once during this time and, after 16 months in oak, was emptied from barrel. Only the best barrels were selected for the final blend. The wine was then settled, clarified, and bottled.
The Sheoak Vineyard produces expressive, medium-bodied, silky-structured wines. For me, this is the perfect incarnation: dark fruit flavors and high notes of cassis and warm spice frame this fine and completely poised vintage of the Nocturne SV. While it’s amazingly accessible on release, this wine would benefit from 5 to 8 years of further maturation, which will truly allow it to shine.
– Julian Langworthy
Tasting Profile
- Light
- Full
- Low Tannin
- Tannic
- Sweet
- Dry
- Low Acidity
- High Acidity
Baked Plum, Blackberry, Meaty
Black Fruits, Blackberry, Spice
Cheese
Game
Red Meat