Dalwhinnie Moonambel Cabernet 2013

Dalwhinnie is located near the small village of Moonambel in the heart of the Pyrenees region of western Victoria, Australia and is a super-premium producer of Shiraz, Cabernet Sauvignon and Chardonnay.

At 595 meters above sea level, Dalwhinnie is the highest and most remote of the Pyrenees district vineyards. Surrounded and sheltered by the highest range, this unique bowl of vines is located in a naturally undulating trough which falls away from the hills, forming an Amphitheatre nestled into the ranges. Dalwhinnie has been growing grapes for nearly 50 years and is now a fully mature vineyard, producing ultra-premium wines that are distinctive, elegant and reflect the benefit of a dry-grown vineyard.

The fruit for this wine was picked from the original contour and front gate vineyards on the Dalwhinnie estate, where fruit then fermented for 14 days in open top fermenters. Once approaching dryness the wine was pressed directly to French oak barriques for a 20 month maturation. Careful barrel selection was carried out to blend this wine before bottling.

""Exceptionally dense crimson-purple showing through on the rim; blackcurrant/cassis fruit is perfectly matched with ripe, persistent tannins and quality oak. Virtually unchanged since first tasted Jan '15, and will surely be one of the great Dalwhinnie cabernets as it slowly matures over the next 20+ years. Drink by 2043".  

97 points - James Halliday. Australian Wine Companion.