Nocturne ‘SR’ Cabernets 2023

This wine tastes of the future—or at least a future I want to be part of, one where medium-bodied wines of great complexity and immense drinkability are the norm. Cabernets, simply put, are the most rewarding wines to drink. Yallingup is our stomping ground and home to some of the world’s greatest Cabernet and Cabernet blends. The region enjoys a deliciously warm climate, never too hot, thanks to the dual influence of the Indian Ocean and Geographe Bay. In crafting this SR6 Cabernets, we’ve used our beloved Sheoak Cabernet, Merlot from the Summus Vineyard, and Malbec from the Robinson property, with whom we’re fortunate to share this amazing valley.

The 2023 vintage is something truly special. It was a mild, largely dry season where almost all varieties excelled—not too hot, not too cold, it was the Goldilocks of seasons where everything was just right. This allowed us to produce medium-weighted, effortless wines with the finest tannin structures. We began picking Sheoak Cabernet on April 16th, relatively late given the season’s heat. The wine was darkly colored and quite tense for this vineyard, showing an abundance of ripe, cocoa-laden tannins from the outset. Instantly perfumed and richly colored, it spent 12 days on skins with a peak fermentation temperature of around 26°C. After pressing to tank and a brief settling period, the wine was transferred to a combination of new (15%) and two- to three-year-old barrels for malolactic fermentation. It was racked only once during its 14 months in oak before being emptied from barrel. At this stage, we finalized the blend: 47% Cabernet Sauvignon, 43% Merlot, and 10% Malbec. The wines were then settled together, clarified, and bottled.

This expression of a Cabernet blend is exactly how I envision great luncheon claret to be: epic drinkability paired with huge complexity and verve. If Ernest Hemingway were still alive, he’d be pouring this by the bucketful. A cassis-laden dream, this is my absolute favorite Cabernet blend yet. – Julian Langworthy

Tasting Profile

Aroma:

Baked Plum, Blackberry, Meaty

Palate:

Black Fruits, Blackberry, Spice

Food Pairings:

Cheese

Game

Red Meat