I’m having a couple of major problems with all these 2005 Margaret River Cabernets, namely those of limited funds and finite capacity. This year’s Heytesbury is all Margaret River with just a sneaky little addition of 5% Shiraz and is a barrel selection rather than a single vineyard wine (as per usual). There won’t be a 2006 vintage release so the intention is to stretch this out until the 2007 Heytesbury becomes available.
Flamboyant, complex and highly aromatic with a mix of ripe cherry and cassis, violet, dark chocolate and spice tempered by more herbal influences of peppermint, gum leaf and snapped green twigs. It’s also appropriately gravelly and earthy as is the way with the best Margaret River Cabernets. On the palate full bodied and flooded with ripe cassis and cherry fruit, dried herbs and mocha flavours - a wine of considerable impact, depth and drama. It has strong ripe chalky tannins, superb balance and a long dry finish. A wine that resonates in the memory long after tasting. Drink : 2014 - 2020+ 96 Points Gary Walsh, Winorama
The Heytesbury Cabernet combines parcels of fruit from various growers from the Margaret River sub-regions, providing differences in terms of tannin structure, fruit profile and overall quality. By blending these sub-regions, we create a true Margaret River ‘Regional’ style and provide consistency from year to year. A small portion of Cabernet Sauvignon from Franklin River (WA) and Mount Barker (WA) adds further complexity to the wine, providing an earthy, mineral streak to the final blend.
WINEMAKERS COMMENTS
Deep red in colour with an intense purple hue. Aromas of ripe blackberry and cassis combine with herbaceous spiciness and cedary oak characters to give the wine immediate complexity.
The palate shows balanced layers of upfront sweet berry flavours and savoury oak influences on the mid-palate with velvety tannins and dark chocolate complementing the long, slightly drying finish. The elegant acid structure and concentrated blackberry flavours provide a depth to the wine that is savoured long after the wine has been finished.
The linear nature of the palate coupled with a firm tannin structure will ensure continued development and the long term cellaring potential of our flagship wine.
