The limited release philosophyHemera Estates Limited Release collection enables us to showcase the most unique wines of the vintage, whether it be fruit from a specific block within our vineyard, or a distinctive parcel or variety that has proven itself to be outstanding. This collection enables us to bring to you in their purest form the wines that have most excited us in the winery.Vintage conditions2017 vintage was set by a near-perfect growing season with a long-awaited wet winter and rainfall well above the long-term average. One of the wettest spring seasons on record minimised the risk of frost damage. Cooler than average spring and summer temperatures ensured a long, slow growing season and allowed intense flavour development and retention of natural grape acidity. Harvest was two weeks later than normal as a result of late January and early February rainfall.Vineyard selectionThe Cabernet Sauvignon was sourced from the world-famous Katnook Estate vineyard in the Coonawarra wine region.Winemaking Once the grapes have been identified to be of optimum maturation and flavour ripeness, the parcels are brought into the winery where they are destemmed and crushed into the open-topped fermenters. Manual pump-overs are conducted twice daily to provide extraction of colour, flavour and tannin. Towards the end of fermentation, the wine is drained and then pressed to a combination of 77% new French oak barrels for 17 months of maturation. Careful barrel selection takes place before the wine is blended. The wine is neither fined, nor filtered.Tasting EvaluationColour: Deep, dark purple verging on black core with a crimson rim.Aroma: Intense aromas of black olive, black currant, dark plum, graphite, dark chocolate awakens the senses. Wafts of sizzling bacon fat, hints of subtle bay leaf and cedar oak spice are released as the wine warms up in the glass.Palate: Red currant, rhubarb and dark plum flavours dominate. Fleshy mid-palate considering the 100% Cabernet fruit. Zingy acidity as you would expect from a wine over 13% alcohol. Dusty, verging on chalky tannins. None of the typical Coonawarra capsicum/bell pepper or Eucalyptus that might be expected from the 2017 vintage. Technical notesVarietal composition : 100% Cabernet SauvignonRegion (GI) : Coonwarra Winemaker : Jason BarretteAlcohol : 13.2% alc/volpH : 3.47TA : 6.2g/LResidual Sugar : 0.17g/LBottled : 19 October 2018

Zema Estate have been producing quality Coonawarra Cabernet since 1982 but have been "growing" since the 1800's. The 2004 Family Selection Cab benefits greatly from a cool growing season allowing the rich flavours of blackcurrants and dark cherry to shine.

Only the best parcels from any given year are used to produce Hollick's Ravenswood Cabernet. Partial fermentation and maturation for 18 months in new French barriques leads to intense cassis, tobacco leaf flavours with slight minty notes. Made to age, the tannins can be pronounced early, yet set the scene for a classic Coonawarra Cabernet Sauvignon.

Wynns is privileged to have some of Coonawarra’s best quality and oldest vineyards. Each year, the Winemakers select just one parcel of wine to bottle separately. In 2021, the Messenger vineyard, in the southern section of the terra rossa strip, showed to distinction. Planted in 1975, Messenger Cabernet is a dry grown vineyard on deeper soils.

The Author pays homage to pioneering vigneron John Riddoch (1827-1901). A true visionary, Riddoch is regarded as one of the founding fathers of Australian wine. The Author represents the finest expression of the vintage. The 2019 Cabernet Sauvignon is classic Coonawarra, with lush red berry fruit, with hints of plum, bramble and mint. Aged in a combination of new and old French Oak, seamlessly integrated with the fruit. Refined and silky tannins lead to a long and persistent length of flavour. This has all the hallmarks of a classic Coonawarra Cabernet Sauvignon and will drink well now but will reward cellaring for 10-15 years.

The Author pays homage to pioneering vigneron John Riddoch (1827-1901). A true visionary, Riddoch is regarded as one of the founding fathers of Australian wine. An influential figure, he established The Coonawarra Fruit Colony in 1890 and a synonymous with the region’s story. The Author represents the finest expression of the vintage. Made from fruit from a vineyard situated from the warmer end of the region in the northern part of Coonawarra. The vineyard is 20 to 25 years, with a mixture of red loam over limestone and ironstone, with the fruit machine picked. Red fruits with hints of plums and bramble flavours. Gently integrated oak moulds around the fruit. Well refined tannins leading into a good length of flavour.

The Mythology Cabernet Sauvignon is a tribute to ancient practices, with its own origin embedded in the richness of the Coonawarra soils and the artistry of traditional winemaking techniques. Dense dark fruits with brilliantly aromatics of raspberries and plums, dark chocolate and vanilla bean. Full bodied with lovely tannins, complemented by well-balanced French oak and a wonderfully long structured finish.