Zema Estate Coonawarra Cabernet Sauvignon 2018 (Australia)

Description

Coffee, Oak, Plum

"Dark, brooding and dense style of Cabernet with an abundance of sweet plum fruit, great oak in support, good tannins and great acid backbone with a long and warm finish" Winestate Magazine, Sep 2022

"As with so many cabernets, lots of air and time to open up makes such a big difference. This appeared raw and closed at first, with raspy tannins. It then revealed cassis, leafy freshness, dark chocolate, herbs and menthol. A core of sweet fruit works in unison with the cedary oak and while more bottle aged is needed to smooth out the tannins, they are knitted into the body of the wine" James Halliday Wine Companion, Aug 2021

"The classic grape of Coonawarra, and this has a classic Cabernet nose. We have bay leaves, tobacco, black fruits, cassis, coffee beans, blackcurrants, leather and that hint of mint. The wine had enjoyed a seven day ferment in rotary and static fermenters, before a year and a half maturation in French oak hogsheads.  It is mid-weight in style with an appealing softness on the palate. The intensity fades a smidge right at the very finish but there is so much flavour leading to that, it is effectively irrelevant. Fine tannins, a nice line of acidity and a wine with such a promising future, ten to fifteen years. Impressive now but it will take several steps up in time and surely rank considerably higher. If you are looking for a fine, good value example of a classic Coonawarra Cabernet, then look no further" Ken Gargett, Winepilot, Oct 2022

"The Zema family are Coonawarra quiet achievers, making sound regional wines of high quality without loud fanfare. This is no exception.  Deep black-ish purple in colour, it has a very appealing nose of blackberry, briar, vanilla and earth.  The medium bodied palate has seamless flow and good balance, tannins are ripe and soft" Ralph Kyte-Powell, Real Review, Sep 2022

A benchmark Coonawarra Cabernet featuring a medium-bodied palate of subtle menthol and well-integrated French oak. Complex and well-balanced with fine grained tannins to finish. Luscious and juicy, filled with black fruits. Generous yet soft, with an elegant finish. An elegant expression of Coonawarra’s regionality, the Estate Cabernet Sauvignon will repay cellaring for at least ten years.

Coonawarra is renowned for it's remarkable Terra Rossa soil, a thin metre band of soil over laying a deep formation of limestone.

The Zema family is proudly traditional in it's approach to vineyard practices, favouring hand pruning and limited irrigation to maximise fruit quality. These practices are enhanced by the family’s three strategically selected prime vineyard locations, capitalising on the region's subtle climatic variations.

The Estate range wines are vibrant expressions of varietal flavour. The 2018 vintage showcases our exciting brand refresh. The Cabernet Sauvignon was made from fruit which was harvested at its optimum maturity, then fermented for 7 days under controlled temperatures in small static fermenters.

Maturation for 18 months in small French oak Hogshead barrels has assisted in the development of a wine that shows vibrancy and richness. Subsequently, aged in bottles for two years for smoothness and drinkability.