Personalised Ashbrook Estate Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon 2017 13.5% 750ML

Personalised Ashbrook Estate Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon 2017 13.5% 750ML

VINIFICATION
Our Reserve Cabernet fruit is hand-harvested over several days in the cool of the morning from 42-year-old, dry-grown, Wilyabrup grapevines (planted 1976). Destemmed berries are cold soaked before temperature-controlled fermentation in 4 tonne open vats, plunged gently five times a day. Post-fermentation the wine is matured in 100% premium French oak barriques for 24 months before blending. The Reserve Cabernet is crafted from barrels (40% new) exhibiting exceptional mature Wilyabrup Cabernet characters, bottled and aged in our underground climate-controlled cellar for two years before release.

VINTAGE NOTES
The 2016 growing season at Ashbrook was typified by warm sunny days and cool nights with no harsh weather events recorded. Three inches of rain two weeks prior to harvest gave the vines a healthy boost and resulted in no disease pressure at all due to Ashbrook’s predominantly lyre trellis system. A bumper and lengthy Marri blossom also meant Silver-eye bird damage was negligible which was well received by the vineyard team after a hectic 2015 season juggling netting. All said and done the white varieties were harvested at optimum flavour ripeness. Yields were slightly below average but the quality was impeccable. An inch of rain before the red harvest was again beneficial for the vines and grapes were picked in perfect condition. Yields were of average size with the 2016 vintage characterized by flavours developing at lower sugar levels across all varieties.