Deep reds with purples, and very fresh floral pot pourri with a vibrancy of aromatics. A stylish and seamless drive through the palate, and altogether quite even, very balanced, and very precise.

TASTING NOTES

The Caley has been sourced from three outstanding vineyards of the Coonawarra and Barossa regions. The Ming D block of the Yalumba Coonawarra vineyard provides 52% of the Cabernet Sauvignon of the blend. This 2.7ha plot was planted in 1992 with two clones of Cabernet Sauvignon selected for structure and depth of flavour. This block differs from the ubiquitous Coonawarra terroir, with a higher content of clay than the other blocks on The Menzies Estate. The Shiraz is sourced from the Burgemeister “Linke Block” between Nuriootpa and Angaston. Planted in 1901, these Shiraz vines run east-west and are on a single wire trellis. The soil is a red brown earth in the Light Pass loamy fine sand family. There is also a component that comes from the 1971 Yalumba Horseshoe Block in Eden Valley.

Deep garnet red in colour, fruit is at the core of the bouquet, all red and black currants – overlaid with savoury herbs, green spices, cedar and pipe tobacco. The palate is of sophisticated precision with a refined line. Long and textured it captures the concentrated flavours and presents them with a silken grace. Under all that supple, fleshy muscle, the wine has a strong spine, structured to last and last.

CELLARING 

Built to spend many years in the cellar, The Caley takes time to reveal its true character. Drinking beautifully on release the wine will live on for decades in the cellar. If opened as a younger wine we recommend double decanting prior to serving. 

VINTAGE CONDITIONS

Coonawarra: Winter and spring rainfall was above average, replenishing soil moisture and aquifers. Spring and summer were warm. The famous Bonney upwelling played its part; cooling March temperatures to deliver us fruit with fine tannins, natural acidity
and strong varietal flavours. Barossa: A wet winter was followed by a drier than average spring. Summer saw warm, dry days with cool nights ripening the grapes while maintaining freshness and natural acidity. The balmy long summer of early March helped complete the ripening of these perfectly balanced and flavoured grapes.

TERROIR/PROVENANCE/REGION

The Ming D block in the Yalumba Coonawarra vineyard provides the 80% Cabernet Sauvignon of this blend. This 2.7 ha plot was planted in 1992 with two clones of Cabernet Sauvignon selected for structure and depth of flavour. The Caley’s 20% Shiraz component was sourced from two Barossa blocks. The first from the Horseshoe Vineyard on the
southern side of the Yalumba winery in Eden Valley. Planted by Helen Hill-Smith in 1971, this block follows the contours around the Fred Caley Smith Hut. The second block is the Burgemeister “Linke” block planted in 1901 at Light Pass.