Yalumba Rare & Fine The Menzies
Wine Description
Since 1987, the Hill-Smith family has counted itself amongst those fortunate enough to produce an estate grown Coonawarra Cabernet Sauvignon. To own a vineyard upon that famous terra rossa soil over limestone is the holy grail of all Cabernet Sauvignon purists. Experimentation, innovation, minimalist intervention and small batch winemaking has resulted in The Menzies’ reputation as one of the best wines of its type to emerge from the region – a wine of longevity, elegance and structure.
Acclaim
Vineyard & Production Info
Winemaking & Aging
Analytical Data
Wine Production
A wet winter replenished soil moisture followed by a warm spring
and summer. These mild conditions encouraged vine growth
and advanced flowering by two weeks earlier than average. Dry
conditions throughout December and January kept the bunch
and berry size small. The fruit was harvested with excellent
concentration of colour, flavour and tannins.
The grapes were crushed to small static fermenters where the
liberation of colour and tannin is controlled either by plunging
the skins, irrigating the fermenting wine over the cap or draining
all the wine from the skins then flooding it back. Selected
parcels are given extended skin contact before pressing.
About the Vineyard
In the heart of Coonawarra, the vineyard site is reasonably
level, with the defining terroir difference coming from the
soils. Our soil is red sandy loam over limestone, which is classic
Cabernet Sauvignon dirt. Most of the vines for Yalumba The
Menzies 2015 were planted in 1975 and are trellised tall with
wide rows. Bunches are usually small with small berries giving
a concentration that favours the creation of full bodied reds.
