Hemera Estate

Limited Release Cabernet Franc 2017

Colour: Garnet with dark core.

Vintage conditions
2017 vintage was set by a near-perfect growing season with a long-awaited wet winter and rainfall well above the long-term average. One of the wettest spring seasons on record minimised the risk of frost damage. Cooler than average spring and summer temperatures ensured a long, slow growing season and allowed intense flavour development and retention of natural grape acidity. Harvest was two weeks later than normal as a result of late January and early February rainfall.

Vineyard selection

Sourced from the Hemera Estate vineyard, the Block 1B Cabernet Franc sits just behind the winery on a deep bed of sandy clay. The vines are closely planted to limit the growth of this French variety and produce small and intense fruit. The soil’s excellent moisture retention qualities ensure even and long ripening to fully develop the grape’s unique flavour profile. For this vintage, the fruit was picked on 7 April.

Winemaking

Daily sampling prior to harvest ensured that the grapes were picked at optimum flavour ripeness. Grapes were destemmed and gently crushed into a five-tonne open fermenter where twice daily pump-overs provided soft tannin extraction. After the completion of fermentation, the wine was basket pressed to a combination of new (57%) and seasoned (43%) French oak hogsheads for 15 months. The wine is neither fined nor filtered.

Aroma:

Lifted aromatics of choc mint, cherry cola, freshly cut tobacco, red currant and red liquorice.
Palate: A flood of red fruits and baking spices engulf the mouth surfaces, framed by fine-grain cedary tannins and fine acid line.