Castelli The Sum Cabernet Sauvignon 2021

Tasting Notes

• Colour: Deep, rich ruby with hints of purple at the rim, indicating its youthful vibrancy.
• Aromatics: The nose is captivating with ripe blackcurrant and blackberry aromas, layered with leafy tobacco and subtle cedar, giving it an earthy complexity.
• Palate: The wine is light and juicy on the palate, with fresh blackcurrant and cherry flavours. A delicate smoky and savoury touch rounds out the profile, supported by fresh tannins and a smooth, well-integrated finish.
• Finish: The tannins dry the palate just enough, leaving a lingering sensation of fine fruit and light oak.

Food Pairing Suggestions

• Grilled Red Meats: A natural match for grilled steaks, lamb chops, or a chargrilled burger, where the wine’s firm structure and blackcurrant character complement the richness of the meat.
• Roasted Vegetables: Pairs well with roasted root vegetables like beetroot, carrot, and pumpkin, where the earthy flavours of the wine echo the savoury sweetness of the veggies.
• Cheese: Try it with a mature cheddar or a creamy blue cheese, where the fruit-forward character balances the intensity of the cheese.
• Spaghetti Bolognese: The fresh tannins and fruity profile make this wine an excellent choice for a hearty pasta dish with rich tomato and meat sauce.

Vineyard & Winemaking

The 2021 vintage faced some challenges with rain in early February, followed by cooler temperatures that delayed harvest. However, this extended maturation time allowed the grapes to develop greater flavour intensity. The fruit was machine-picked in the early morning to preserve freshness, then fermented in both open and closed fermenters with a 14-day skin contact period. After pressing, the wine matured in a combination of older oak and stainless steel, enhancing the wine’s soft, expressive fruit without overpowering it with oak influence.

Technical Data

• Grape Variety: 85.5% Cabernet Sauvignon, 14.5% Merlot
• Region: Great Southern, Western Australia
• Alcohol: 14.5% by Vol | 8.6 Standard Drinks
• pH: 3.56
• Titratable Acidity (T.A.): 6.3 g/L
• Cellaring: Drink now or cellar for 5-7 years to allow the wine to evolve and develop further complexity.

Best Serving Temperature

• Ideal Serving Temperature: 16-18°C
  If being stored at room temperature (22c) place in the fridge for 45 minutes before serving.

Technical Wine Language Explained

• Titratable Acidity (T.A.): A measure of the acidity in the wine, which contributes to its crispness and balance.
• Cold Soak: A winemaking technique where the grapes are left to soak in their own juice before fermentation begins, extracting more colour and flavour.
• Suppleness: The smooth, rounded texture that results from well-integrated tannins and oak.