2006 Yalumba Coonawarra Estate The Cigar Cabernet Sauvignon

The ‘Cigar’ is a new release from Yalumba’s Coonawarra ‘The Menzies’ Vineyard with the fruit being sourced from some of the younger vines planted on the Estate in 1994. The name, ‘Cigar’ is derived from the unique cigar like shape of Coonawarra’s famous terra rossa strip. Coonawarra experienced an excellent vintage in 2006 producing fruit with excellent colour, flavour profile and tannin balance.

Produced using small batch winemaking techniques, grapes were crushed to small static fermenters and once the fermentation commenced the temperature was allowed to peak early at 30° C, then given more control around 20°C. This ensured good extraction of colour and tannin. The grapes stayed on skins for around seven days though some tanks were given extended skin contact before pressing. Upon pressing the wine completed malolactic fermentation and was matured for 21 Months in 54% new hogsheads (37% French, 17% American), 15% 1 year old French hogsheads & barriques, 25% 2 year old French hogsheads & barriques with the balance in older French hogsheads.

Winemaker Peter Gambetta has fashioned a superb example of fully ripened Coonawarra Cabernet that really over delivers at it’s price point.

Outstanding colour – opaque deep crimson purple colour with deep mauve hue. The nose is quite perfumed displaying good intensity with aromas of violets, cedar, blackcurrant and confectionary. The palate is where this wine really excels delivering excellent weight and mouthfeel whilst still maintaining Coonawarra’s trademark elegance. Flavours of blackcurrant, spice and cedar followed by some liquorice and cigar box end notes. Fine grained dry tannin structure with long aftertaste of cedar, blackcurrant, cigar box and spice. A very impressive wine delivering outstanding value.
Cellar 3-4 years (2012-2013)
Alc/Vol: 14.5%