Wine Specs
Vintage
2018
Varietal
100% Cabernet Sauvignon
Appellation
McLaren Vale
Alcohol %
14.2
Shingleback Davey Estate Cabernet Sauvignon 2018
Museum
In Stock
After a dry start to winter we had good rainfall, ending up 10% above the long term averages, flushing and filling soil profiles to saturation. Although a mid-September bud burst was later than recent vintages it was in line with long term averages. Spring rainfall was well below average, resulting in low disease pressure. Average day and night spring temperatures were close to record highs, resulting in steady vine shoot growth, catching up some ground after the later bud burst. Harvest started with Semillon on February 6th and our McLaren Vale white and rosé blocks were all off by February 19th when the first Davey Estate Shiraz was picked. Shiraz harvest, other than a small parcel for fortified, was completed on March 24th and Cabernet Sauvignon soon after on March 29th, just before Easter.
Wine Profile
Tasting Notes
Deep purple-red. Primary aromas of blackberry and dark cherry are complemented by notes of dark chocolate, freshly turned earth and bay leaf. Balanced acidity, textured tannins and subtle French oak envelop and focus the sweet, dark berry fruit into the long finish.
Vineyard Notes
The Davey Estate Vineyard is located in Whites Valley, at the southern end of the acclaimed McLaren Vale wine region in South Australia. Kym and John Davey planted & nurture their family-owned and sustainably managed estate vineyard on land their grandfather purchased in the 1950’s. Their goal is to produce high-quality, single vineyard wines. Modern viticultural practices that minimise work to the soil & encourage a balanced environment are used. Superior fruit is grown by managing canopies, hand-pruning, precise deficit irrigation & integrated pest management.
Production Notes
Only select parcels of Cabernet Sauvignon, grown on both red and black soils over limestone on the Davey Estate Vineyard, qualify for this wine. Partial cold soaking prior to fermentation maximises the fragrance of the finished wine. Extended fermentation time on skins helps to capture the essence of the fruit and gives a silky but firm tannin finish. Maturation for an average of 15 months in 1 – 6 year old fine-grained French oak
hogsheads, softens, enhances and integrates the fruit and structural components of the wine.
Winemaker Notes
After a dry start to winter we had good rainfall, ending up 10% above the long term averages, flushing and filling soil profiles to saturation. Although a mid-September bud burst was later than recent vintages it was in line with long term averages. Spring rainfall was well below average, resulting in low disease pressure. Average day and night spring temperatures were close to record highs, resulting in steady vine shoot growth, catching up some ground after the later bud burst.
We had 10mm of rain on December 1st and another 15 mm on December 15th, freshening the vines during early berry development. With only 6 mm of rain in January and 5 mm in February summer rainfall ended up only two thirds of the average. Drier and warmer than average conditions continued through March and April resulting in a disease free and orderly progression to vintage, allowing time for the potential of each batch of grapes to be maximised in the winery.
Harvest started with Semillon on February 6th and our McLaren Vale white and rosé blocks were all off by February 19th when the first Davey Estate Shiraz was picked. Shiraz harvest, other than a small parcel for fortified, was completed on March 24th and Cabernet Sauvignon soon after on March 29th, just before Easter. Mataro, the last of the Grenache and Shiraz for fortification were harvested after Easter with all fruit in by April 5th.
The 2018 white and rosé wines are richly flavoured with good length. The reds are full bodied and deeply coloured, showing intense fruit flavour with big round chewy tannins. Simply an outstanding vintage with the promise to be rated as one of the great years for McLaren Vale.