The Pugilist Cabernet Sauvignon, Langhorne Creek 2018

Sometimes you’ve got to stick up for yourself… Fight for what is right in this world and uphold some good old fashioned values. Of course, one must always retain ones manners and obey the rules just ask the Pugilist. He’s powerful, thick-skinned but well-bred and with the manners and sense of fair play of a true gent.

Vintage Conditions

Though 2017 was a late, cool and sometimes damp season, it ended with lower than average rainfall for the late season. Above average rainfall in July and August filled soil profiles and dams but from then on the season has been very dry. It is this dry weather that characterised the 2018 season and the low disease pressure coupled with ideal conditions for flowering and early development set the vines up for an excellent season. With virtually no rainfall between January and April, fruit quality in all areas was very good though some heat stress in February led to isolated defoliation. As we like to pick ‘on the way up’ our season began quickly with several varieties ripening at once but then progressed nicely, with the ability to pick when it suited given the settled weather.

Winemaking

Precise varietal expression and balance are what we seek to achieve and so picking time is of utmost importance. We pick just as flavours are approaching their peak rather than let them get over-ripe. We retain whole berries in the ferment for vibrancy and we press relatively early to avoid astringent tannins.

Tasting

The nose shows an array of perfumed characters such as violets, oregano & thyme, along with glacé cherry aromas. Sweet ripe cherry fruit dominates the front palate which then develops into a more savoury wine, showing earthiness, toasted spices and lovely dried herb characters.

Alcohol:14.5%

Total  Acidity: 5.99g/l

pH: 3.4

Residual Sugar: <1g/l

SO2: 74mg/l

Fining:None

Vegan: Yes

Vegetarian: Yes