Cab PV 1


We have to admit to a stroke of dumb luck with this wine. We were actually looking at some fruit in a neighbouring vineyard, when the dozen or so unkempt rows over the fence caught our eye.

Beneath that wild canopy we found the tiniest bunches of dry grown Cabernet, absolutely brimming with varietal fruit flavour – and completely untended to that point. We had to have it, and roughly five minutes later a deal was struck. We hand picked, open fermented with ambient yeast and basket pressed to one new and one seasoned French barrique. To that we added one lonely row of Petit Verdot from a 25 year old vineyard – a  micro ferment of about 100 kilograms –  which adds colour, natural acidity and brightness.

From the northern end of the King Valley (Docker) it shows true Cabernet character – dark plum, bramble and bay leaf. Medium to full bodied with statuesque tannins and a fresh lick of acid throughout. We can’t wait to see it with 5-6 years bottle age.

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2016 Cabernet Petit Verdot
King Valley (Docker)
52 dozen made
2016 Cabernet Petit Verdot Tasting Note
$29/bottle – BUY

'Grapes sourced from the northern end of the King Valley. 52 dozen only. 86% Cabernet Sauvignon, 14% Petit Verdot. Varietal character is bell clear here. This is a lovely red wine. Bright, perfumed, juicy and deep-enough with flavour to well and truly satisfy. Currants and violets, mints and herbs, though it’s the fruits and florals here in the driver’s seat. Perhaps there’s a whisper of vanillin here too; everything is beautifully balanced and presented. Not your average King Valley Cabernet'. 92 points
Campbell Mattinson
The Wine Front