History

The Cabernet Sauvignon grapes are grown exclusively on the Elderton Vineyard situated on the banks of the North Para River, Nuriootpa, Barossa Valley, South Australia. The 1988 vintage was chosen by Qantas for first class, the 1992 Vintage won the prestigious Jimmy Watson Memorial Trophy in 1993 and for the next two years won Gold and Trophy at the Barossa Wine Show. The 1994 vintage gave Elderton its first international gold medal at the London International Wine Show 1996. The 1998, once again won gold and trophy, in the Barossa wine show for the best regional Cabernet, and the 1999 won the trophy in Belgium for the best wine imported into Belgium. A proven consistent performer, we believe that the 2006 will continue in this trend.

Winemaking

Harvested in the cool of the night, the fruit was crushed and inoculated with a selected yeast strain for fermentation. Over the seven day ferment the wine is pumped over daily for further flavour and colour extraction. Matured in a blend of French and American oak puncheons for about 18 months, this wine offers integrated fruit flavours with balance and length.

Viticulture

The Elderton vineyard has very old deep alluvial soils over limestone with the majority of the Cabernet vines ranging between the ages of 35 to 50 years. With a Mediterranean climate, the Baumé reaches 13.50 to 14.50. The 2006 vintage produced amazing parcels of Cabernet off our Estate block, with a dry ripening period producing great quality fruit, in turn allowing wines to be made with great colour, flavour and intensity.

Awards

•  James Halliday, 2010 Wine Companion - 91 POINTS
•  Robert Parker “The Wine Advocate 2009” - 91 POINTS
•  Winestate March/April 2009 - THREE STARS

Reviews

•  Stephen Tanzer’s International Wine Cellar Sep/Oct ’08 Issue - Medium red. Spicy cherry, blackberry and blackcurrant on the nose, with a kick of cracked pepper. Soft and approachable, with vivid red and dark berry flavours, gentle tannins and building sweetness. Finishes with impressive clarity and persistence. This is drinking well already. 90 points
•  91 Points - Robert Parker, The Wine Advocate 2009 - The 2006 Cabernet Sauvignon Nuriootpa exhibits an enticing nose of cedar, spice box, black currant, and blackberry. Layered on the palate, it has intense flavours with good concentration and balance. It will evolve for several more years and drink well from 2011 to 2021.
•  92 POINTS - Campbell Mattinson & Gary Walsh, The Wine Front - “Picture–perfect cabernet. It tastes of chocolate, blackcurrant and cedar and, while there are evident tannins, this is a wine that is all about flavour. It finishes grainy, chocolatey and fresh, with quite a bit of lingering acidity – all within the boundaries of balance. Oh, it’s good alright!"
•  James Halliday, 2010 Edition - Rating: 91 - Some leathery/earthy nuances on the bouquet diminish on the powerful palate, with strong blackcurrant fruit and a jab of dark chocolate. Built to last.
•  90 POINTS - ROBERT PARKER’S WINE ADVOCATE, REVIEWS BY JAY MILLER - The 2007 Cabernet Sauvignon Elderton Estate is also a bit more restrained than normal. Purple-coloured, it displays aromas of toast, violets, pencil lead, cassis, and blackberry. This structured effort will evolve for 2-3 years and offer prime drinking through 2022.
•  Josh Raynolds, Stephen Tanzer's International Wine Cellar, July/Aug 2010 - 88 (+?) POINTS. Inky ruby. Dark cherry, bitter chocolate, pepper and eucalyptus on the nose, plus a suggestion of licorice. Supple on entry, then brisk and faintly bitter in the middle palate, offering bitter cherry, dark chocolate and licorice flavors. Finegrained and linear, finishing with dusty tannins that need some time to recede.