Typically, Parker Estate’s First Growth, predominantly Cabernet Sauvignon with small parcels of Merlot, Petit Verdot and Cabernet Franc, is vinified along traditional Bordelais lines, with extended 30-day post ferment maceration and maturation in a combination of tightly grained new and seasoned French oak for around 20 to 24 months. The final cuvée is a selection of the finest parcels of the vintage and reflective of a style that is made for long term ageing. The wines generally need around five to six years to unfold. Although Coonawarra has proven to be an exceptional place to grow cabernet sauvignon, the fortunes of the region have waxed and waned over the last few decades. Its over-reliance on the retail sector, prone to discounting and bulk selling, and its distance from capital cities have held back its potential and reputation. Coonawarra is not fashionable, but it is making some of the country’s finest Cabernet Sauvignon wines. Parker Estate First Growth Cabernet Sauvignon is one of the region’s marquee brands, and in this regard, the wine lives up to its name. Vineyard manager Brett Williams continues to improve and refine practices, and Andrew Ox Hardy, a veteran of 39 vintages, brings an experienced lens to winemaking. For collectors and buyers who enjoy the vinosity and torque of great claret style wines, Parker Estate First Growth Cabernet Sauvignon represents a classical expression of ultra-fine Coonawarra Cabernet Sauvignon.
Parker Estate – First Growth
7
Powered by FlippingBook