Balnaves Cabernet Sauvignon
The vineyard is planted at the end of The Coonawarra ‘Terra Rossa’ strip. Planted in 1975, the vineyard is 48 hectares in size and has been in the family for three generations. The predominant variety planted is Cabernet Sauvignon. Winemaker Pete Bissell was the Qantas Winemaker of the Year 2005 and Balnaves was Winery of the Year in 2008
Since the planting of the first five hectares of vines in 1975, the Balnaves vineyards have grown steadily, and Cabernet Sauvignon accounts for 70% of the planted area. The vineyard is divided into small blocks of between one and two hectares, based on depth of soil, trellis design, vine clone and row direction. The quality of wine produced from these small blocks is evaluated each year and recorded. For Balnaves, this practice proves the effect that micro-climate and geological features have on the quality of the wine produced. The soils here are the famous rust-coloured, iron rich Coonawarra ‘terra rossa’ soils.
For more information on the winery go to https://www.balnaves.com.au/
To see our range of wines from Coonawarra https://www.auswinesonline.co.uk/region/south-australia/coonawarra/
Coonawarra has developed an enviable reputation as a producer of premium table wines, particularly the dry red table wines. This reputation has been developed with wines grown on a unique strip of red ‘terra rossa’ soil which is approximately 16 kilometres long and 2 kilometres wide.
Coonawarra is situated in the South East of South Australia and is a cool climate region. The Coonawarra wine industry was born in 1890 when the prominent settler John Riddoch established the Coonawarra Fruit Colony. After many years of fluctuating fortunes the area entered a phase of rapid development in the early 1960’s.
The southern end of the Coonawarra terra rossa soil enters the township of Penola. Penola shares with the coastal town of Robe the distinction of being the oldest town in the South East of South Australia. Penola has gained prominence as a township which was home to such notable people as the poets John Shaw Neilson, Will Ogilvey, Adam Lindsay Gordon, the prominent theologians Saint Mary MacKillop, Father Julian Tenison Woods, the explorer Larry Wells and later, the noted Australian arctic explorer John Rymill.
The story of the founder of Coonawarra, John Riddoch, is a fascinating one. The son of a Scottish crofter, Riddoch gained his wealth as a storekeeper on the Ballarat gold fields before purchasing Yallum Estate from where he represented his district in parliament and entertained members of the royal family.
£31.00 a bottle
2 in stock
Balnaves is a small family owned wine company situated on the prized Coonawarra “terra rossa” soils. The winemaker here is Peter Bissell who made a great name for himself at Wynns producing a range of trophy winning wines. He is certainly continuing his reputation at Balnaves – James Halliday ranked the 1998 Cabernet Sauvignon as one of Australia’s top five of this grape.
Coonawarra is considered the most renowned wine region in Australia. It has the ‘terra rossa’ soils and some great winemakers, and subsequently responsible for some of the best wines produced in Australia. Most notably red wines and Cabernet Sauvignon in particular. The first vineyard was planted in the 1880s at Yallum, (John Riddoch’s). The region did not establish its reputation as a winemaking area until the 1950s when Wynns and Penfolds purchased acreage on the back of a resurgence in the table wine market. Investment by large and small companies led to expansion, securing Coonawarrra’s status as a great wine. The climate is regarded as Mediterranean. The main wine styles: Red – Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet-Merlot blend, Shiraz; White – Chardonnay.
Probably the world’s most famous red grape variety. Originated from Bordeaux and has been present in Australia since 1832.
Wherever it has been planted the resulting wine has developed its own identity yet it is always recognisable. Although it will vary in intensity the aroma will always be dominated by berry characteristics in the classic wines and the tannins will be firm or textured and soften with age. Cabernet Sauvignon is high in acid and tannin and remains fresh for many years. It can be earthy and display strong blackcurrant flavours. The naturally high tannin and inherent complexity mean all Cabernet Sauvignons will improve with age.
Coonawarra, with its prized ‘terra rossa’ soils, Margaret River, Mount Barker (Great Southern) and Yarra Valley regions are considered the premium Cabernet Sauvignon areas in Australia.
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