Region: Frankland River | Variety: 51% Cabernet Sauvignon 38% Shiraz 11% Malbec

The purity of Cabernet fruit expression shines through with the Shiraz bringing an earthy spiciness and mid-palate richness. The plush tannins of the Shiraz play a supportive role to the layered Cabernet backbone. The Malbec from this year was particularly good, providing a tannin and colour boost; helping to accentuate the vibrant varietal characters. It is a wine that provides an eclectic mix of complexity and fruit power with each mouthful. This powerfully structured, well balanced wine will age well over the next 10-15 years.

WA Wine Review

Ray Jordan

A more fragrant and perfumed wine than the excellent 2019. It also reveals a slightly firmer spine of chalky tannin and oak. Super saturated..

Rating: 98

Halliday Wine Companion

Mike Bennie

A blend of 51% cabernet sauvignon, 38% shiraz and 11% malbec. The top of the rungs wine from Castelli. A regal, rich and potent red wine, la..

Rating: 94

Notes

“The fruit underwent Pre-fermentation cold soaking for 10 days followed by a clean, warm (25-30°C) ferment. Maceration was via twice daily pump-overs (using specialized gentle tannin extraction method) also 3 x rack-returns during ferment. Yeast strains used were Clos and RC212. Total time on skins was 26 days for Cabernet, 18 days for Shiraz and Malbec which allowed for tannin development and balance. All red barrels in the winery were tasted and assessed to achieve the best vintage blend. Approximately 70% of the selected barrels were from new French oak, with the remainder one year old.” Andrew Vesey, Winemaker

Viticulture

The 2020 was a very high-quality vintage, virtually every pick, throughout the entire region has been approximately 50 per cent down, with some varieties yield being down by 70 per cent. It really has caught all viticulturists by surprise as by appearance the crops look generallyon par with most other seasons. The real difference is in bunch and berry size – they are considerably small. On the upside of that – tiny berries equal lots of intensity and flavour. In sum, the 2020 fruit will make outstanding wines, but very little of them, making this vintage a very rare one.

Red Blend

6 Acres Yarra Valley Red Chilli NV x 12

Castelli Estate Il Lirus Denmark Red Blend 2020 x 6

Gibson Il Minestrone 2023 x 12