Galafrey Cabernet Sauvignon 2018

Tasting Notes 🍇

• Appearance
  Deep, vibrant red with a dense core and youthful edge.
• Aromatics
  Exudes excitement from the glass. Violets, cassis and dark chocolate sit over classic cool climate notes of vegetable drawer savouriness, earthy tones and mulberry leaves. Complex and inviting.
• Palate
  Medium to full bodied with real drive. Dry, elegant tannins are nicely integrated with fresh sweet berry fruit. Blackcurrant, dark cherry and plum sit alongside cocoa, dried herbs and earthy nuances. The old vine concentration shows in the intensity of flavour without the wine feeling heavy.
• Finish
  Long, structured and mouth watering, with fine tannins and dark fruit carrying right through the finish. A serious, age worthy Cabernet that still feels harmonious and very drinkable now.

Vineyard & Vintage 🌱

• Region: Great Southern, WA

• Vineyard: Estate dry grown vineyard, 12 hectares

• Vine age: 41 years

• Farming: Dry grown, no irrigation

• Soils: Ancient gravelly loams

• Yields: Approx 2 tonnes per hectare

Dry grown vines naturally carry smaller berries with thicker skins. Most of the colour and tannin in grapes is in or near the skins, so this translates directly to greater intensity and structure in the finished wine. The cool climate of the district ensures slow, even ripening and the development of rich flavour at balanced sugar levels.

Vintage 2018
V18 started quickly, but with no disease or weather pressure Galafrey were able to give the reds extra hang time. This resulted in higher than average ripeness and alcohol, with Great Southern reds showing a level of power and richness not often seen in the region. Expect floral lift in the aromatics and real intensity and drive on the palate.

Winemaking 🍷

• Harvest: Mechanically harvested from the dry, cool to mild climate vineyard

• Fermentation: Left on skins as long as possible to ensure depth of colour and flavour

• Style aim: Classic Cabernet Sauvignon with great depth, structure and drinkability

• Oak:  Two years in quality French oak

• Approach: Meticulous viticulture and sympathetic winemaking to express varietal character and sense of place

Technical

• Alcohol: 14.5 percent a/v

Serving & Cellaring ❄️

• Serving temperature: 16 to 18 C

• Decanting: 1 to 2 hours recommended to allow the tannins to soften and the aromatics to unfurl

• Cellaring potential: Drink now for primary fruit and power, or cellar to around 2032 for more savoury, tobacco and cedar complexity

Food Pairing Suggestions 🍽️

• Roast beef or lamb with rosemary and garlic

• Slow cooked beef cheeks or osso buco

• Grilled venison or kangaroo with red wine jus

• Hard cheeses such as aged cheddar, gouda or Comte

• Mushroom and thyme pie for a hearty vegetarian match

FAQ 🧐

Is it very tannic?
It has firm, dry, classic Cabernet tannins, but they are elegant and well integrated, especially with a bit of air.

What makes dry grown Cabernet different?
Without irrigation, the vines work harder and naturally produce smaller berries with thicker skins. That means more colour, flavour and tannin, and a stronger sense of site in the finished wine.

Do I need to wait to drink it?
You do not have to. It is already in a great spot for drinking with food, but if you enjoy more developed, savoury Cabernets, a few more years in the cellar will be very rewarding.

One of Galafrey’s best Cabernets to date: old vine depth, cool climate lift and dry grown intensity all in one glass.