2003 / 04 Parker Coonawarra Estate TERRA ROSSA Cabernet Sauvignon Coonawarra South Australia
Name:
Parker Coonawarra Estate TERRA ROSSA Cabernet Sauvignon Coonawarra South Australia - 2003 / 04
Where it's from:
>Australia
>South Australia
>Coonawarra
Price per case:
£130.62
Bottle size:
75 cl
Bottles per case:
6
Style:
Powerful Reds
Grapes:
Cabernet Sauvignon
Description:
The Parker Estate Vineyard, situated at the Southern end of Coonawarra, was established in 1985 on the rich Terra Rossa soil over limestone of Coonawarra and carries Cabernet Sauvignon as the predominant variety with minor plantings of Merlot and Petit Verdot. Each vintage small quantities of the best fruit is selected for the Terra Rossa First Growth. If in any one year the grapes do not reach the high standard set, then no Terra Rossa First Growth is made, as was the case in 1992, 1995, 1997 & 2002 . In those years the wine released was under the Terra Rossa Cabernet Sauvignon label. Vintage 2000 was one of the earliest harvests on record - a full two weeks earlier than 1998. A combination of a hot summer and ideal weather conditions together with a reduced set brought fruit in very ripe ( 14 baumé) and early. Tannin structures were fully ripe and softer than previous years. The Merlot again produced outstanding fruit in 2000. As usual the majority of the Cabernet Sauvignon was macerated on skins for 30 days prior to pressing. Individual parcels were matured in new French oak, predominantly Dargaud and Jaeglé, Les Bertranges, for 18 months before blending. The assembled blend was returned to oak until February 2002 ( 22 months in oak), before egg fining and bottling in March 2002. Rich and complex on the nose with mocha, coffee, blackberries, dark creamy cassis aromas intermingled with earthy, tobacco and cedar characters. Tight and restrained, at this stage. Great colour, dense crimson with purple tinges. The palate is full and round with sweet soft tannins and complex black fruit and coffee flavours. Beautifully balanced with a full ripe mid-palate and a soft tannin finish.
