Calcare Coonawarra Cabernet Sauvignon

Pepper Tree Calcare Coonawarra Cabernet Sauvignon is selected from the winery's 1997 planted 12 hectare vineyard located midway between Penola and Coonawarra in South Australia.

Coonawarra is considered Australia's leading Cabernet region. The special character of the wine comes from its terra rossa soils. The name Calcare refers to the soft limestone found under the soil.

The soil is thin, rocky clay over crumbly limestone. Effectively the vines grow in limestone rock. Because the shallow soils restrict vigour, the vines produce small crops of intensely flavoured fruit.

Picked at flavour ripeness, the fruit is destemmed, cold soaked and crushed for fermentation. A selected yeast strain is used. Pressed off skins into French oak, the wine ages for 18 months.

Deep inky red, Pepper Tree Calcare Coonawarra Cabernet Sauvignon has ripe cassis flavours, lifted spicy, floral notes and refined structure. Cellaring potential is 12 years.