Log in / Sign up Joshua Cooper Redbank Cabernet Sauvignon 2024
Another vineyard which needs no introduction to lovers of classic Victorian wines. Still farmed and managed by founder Neill Robb, much like Balgownie it has been a bastion of quality since establishment. The wines also enjoy a similar track record of cellaring. The vineyard has been dry grown since planting, with vine roots now stretching deep into the hillside soil - largely composed of shale and mudstone, with a iron rich surface layer of ochre red loam, essential for its water holding capacity. Once hand harvested the fruit was entirely de-stemmed, then partially foot crushed before transfer to open fermenters where it remained for three weeks. The must was allowed to soak until natural fermentation commenced and was then extracted with a combination pumping over, delestage and pigage before basket pressing. Elevage took place in a combination of new Stockinger 300l (30%), Spanish stoneware jars and seasoned thin staved Bordeaux coopered barriques for 12 months, before four months in stainless steal after assemblage. The only addition to the wine is a small dose of sulphur.
Subtle and restrained, though incredibly distinctive. Redbank slowly reveals layer after layer - cassis, boysenberry and blood plum fruits with new leather, warm terracotta and spice casing complexity and intrigue. The most elegant of Black Holes of aroma and flavour.
Fine and layered tannin coats the mouth, carrying inky, ferrous complexity and boysenberry fruit. Redbank eloquently evokes the iron rich red loams, shale and wild scrub of this part of the Pyrenees.
