1996 Orlando Jacaranda Ridge Cabernet Sauvignon Winery: Orlando Vintage: 1996 Region: Coonawarra Bottle Size: 750ml Variety: Cabernet Sauvignon Price: $95.00 (out of stock)

VINTAGE CONDITIONS

The 1996 vintage was one of the best of the decade across South Australia, this was especially true for the late ripening region of Coonawarra where vintage variation is typically greater than the warmer regions. Mild summer temperatures with little rainfall preceded the vintage. Conditions during vintage, February to April, were warm and dry leading to good yields of grapes of deep colour, concentrated varietal flavours and balanced structure.

HARVEST DATE

April 23, 29 and 30, 1996.

WINEMAKING

The grapes for Jacaranda Ridge were sourced from the best Coonawarra vineyards sites available, selected at ideal ripeness following repeated vineyard inspections by the winemakers to carefully monitor flavour development. The grapes were destemmed and crushed to static fermenters in separate vineyard batches and inoculated with yeast culture. The musts were then fermented at moderate temperatures for periods of up to 22 days to maximise colour, flavour and the structure of the tannins extracted. Upon pressing and clarification, only the pressings wines of suitable texture were returned to the free run wines.

Individual vineyard parcels were aged separately in new French oak hogsheads from selected coopers for up to 21 months in our temperature controlled cellars. Rigorous selection of the individual barrels was carried out, using only those of the highest standard in the final blend. The wine was then returned to a mixture of new and one year old French oak barrels for a further four months to provide further integration of the components.

Individual barrel selection was carried out once more by the winemakers prior to emptying the wine for bottling. The 1996 Jacaranda Ridge received 21 months bottle maturation before release.

ANALYSIS

Alcohol: 13.6% alc/vol

Total Acid: 6.6g/L

pH: 3.52

BOTTLING DATE

August 12, 1998.

COLOUR

Full depth red with purple hues.

BOUQUET

Attractive youthful blackberry, mint and prune characters complexed by spicy cedar oak.

PALATE

The palate is full, powerful and tightly structured. Rich ripe cassis and chocolate fruit supported by generous mouthfilling grape and oak tannins lead to a long flavoursome finish.

ASSESSMENT

An excellent Coonawarra Cabernet Sauvignon from an outstanding year. Still youthful at four years of age, if cellared correctly it will reward the patient by revealing its true potential for complexity over a minimum of the next 10 to 15 years. For best results decanting before serving is recommended.