Xanadu Circa 77 Cabernet Sauvignon 2022 (Australia)

Description

Blueberry, Oak, Spice

"This is gorgeously composed and expressed on the nose, showing blackcurrant, dried herb, rich floral, clove and toasted nut aromas. It's equally satisfying in the mouth, delivering refined texture together with fine, chalky tannins, offering excellent structure that's both sturdy and silky. At its best: now to 2034" Sam Kim, Wine Orbit, May 2024

Deep red with ruby hues. The wine exhibits vibrant, characteristic aromas of ripe blackcurrants, blueberries, and dark plums meshed with hints of chocolate and toasty oak. Medium to full-bodied, the generous palate is packed full of jubey forest fruits, cassis, and red currant characters. These moreish, fleshy fruits are supported by ripe, supple tannins which culminate with a wonderful persistence of flavour. Perfectly approachable in its youth, this wine will comfortably cellar for several years.

After a long, and relatively cold and wet winter budburst was later than usual, and about a week or two later than last season. There was still some wet, windy spring weather which affected fruit set. Despite the late start to the season, the fantastic WA summer allowed the growing season to catch up with warm, fine weather and a few very hot periods. Marri trees had a bumper year for blossom, which always bodes well, distracting birds away from the fruit (at least for the first half of the season while the blossom lasted). There was no significant weather pressure experienced at all early in the vintage, in fact the warm weather meant that the whites were harvested at a frenetic pace in order to preserve natural acidity. Yields were relatively low, however the fruit quality was excellent with great flavour intensity. In summary 2022 will be remembered as an outstanding vintage in Margaret River.

The fruit was crushed and destemmed then fermented in a combination of rotary and static fermenters at 26°C for 5–7 days. A portion of the blend was left for a period of extended maceration on skins followed by a gentle pressing, adding plushness and a savoury textural element to the wine. The various batches underwent MLF in tank before 14 months maturation in a selection of French oak barriques (20% new).