D'Arenberg Coppermine Road Cabernet Sauvignon 2013

Since 1912 the Osborn family have grown grapes and made wine in the picturesque surrounds of McLaren Vale. Today, fourth generation family member Chester Osborn is at the winemaking helm, making distinctive wines using traditional methods in the winery and the vineyard.

Coppermine Road runs parallel to our very best Cabernet vineyard in McLaren Vale, just metres from the winery, cellar door and restaurant. Planted to an almost extinct clone, this vineyard rarely yields greater than one tonne to the acre.

Great winter rains set the vines up well last year, followed by a very dry spring and summer with no heatwaves. The initial fruit development was fantastic, the first white grapes to be picked showed incredible levels of natural acidity coupled with good fruit ripeness unlike anything we've seen for a long time. Just prior to picking the first red grapes there was three days of reasonably high temperatures, which accelerated sugar ripening and meant the winery was filled in record time. A lot of the red grapes from that period are particularly rich with intense tannin and dark fruit characters - a great vintage for reds and whites alike.

A classic Cabernet in every sense. The nose, allowed time to open evolves from mushroom, olive and salami in to more typical purple fruits, blackcurrant and violets, backed by ripples of freshly torn mint, sage and oregano. A rich, but chiselled palate follows, framed by layers of long, chalky tannins. This sleek, seamless wine has an unmistakeable air of class. Enticing in youth with a promise of greater depth and elegance to reward careful, patient cellaring.