Past Vintages

Technical Details

 NEW VINTAGE RELEASE 

"Deeply coloured and gently perfumed, offering blackcurrants, blue fruits and hints mocha and spice. The presence of oak is quite obvious on the palate; however with fine chalky tannins and crackling sweet acidity, the balance is near perfect. A lovely wine, and its quality is certainly well-worth the money. Drink 2015 - 2026. 94 pts."

winegenius.com  February 18th 2016

"Deep, rich red/purple hue. The bouquet and flavour are ripe and rich and inviting, with density and concentration, flesh and drive. A very smart wine for the money. The palate is intense and long, elegantly balanced and weighted, with drive and length. Very keen value indeed. Tasted 27/11/2015. 92 pts."

Huon Hooke, Reprinted with permission from huonhooke.com, December 2015

"Amazingly fresh inky black wine that offers a huge mouthful of flavour from the excellent dense dark brooding varietal fruit that has plenty of oak to match. Needs lots more time. 5 stars."

Winestate magazine, Special Edition 2015, New Release Tasting

"Full, dense and opulent, it's generously layered with rich texture and silky mouthfeel, combined with cassis, blueberry, game and spicy oak flavours. It's upfront and delectable. Gold medal."

Judges notes, The Champion's List, NZ International Wine Show 2015

"Matured for an average of 15 months in French oak. The colour is full and healthy, the bouquet and medium-bodied palate awash with cassis, mulberry and a regional finger-lick of bitter chocolate, the tannins balanced and integrated. 93 pts."

Reprinted with permission from the 2016 James Halliday Australian Wine Companion

"Powerful combination of fruit and oak. Indeed, there's arguably too much oak, but it's quality oak and contributes to a quality impression. Flavours of blueberry and blackberry before dark chocolate and resiny/smoky vanillan flavours swoop through the palate. Big style. Very attractive. Would be even better if the oak was toned back. Though of course some nights this is just what you're after. 91 pts."

Campbell Mattinson, The Wine Front, September 2015

"Deep garnet/purple, the 2013 Davey Estate Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon has
intense aromas of cassis, black cherries, kirsch and mulberries with accents of spice box, sandalwood, menthol and bay leaves. The medium to full-bodied palate is balanced and has good concentration with plenty of spicy black fruits, fine-grained tannins and a long finish. 89 pts."

Lisa Perotti-Brown, The Wine Advocate #220, USA

Winemaking

Only select parcels of Cabernet Sauvignon, grown on both red and black soils over limestone on the Davey Estate vineyard, qualify for this reserve wine. Partial cold soaking prior to fermentation maximises the fragrance of the finished wine. Extended fermentation time on skins helps to capture the essence of the fruit and gives a silky but firm tannin finish. Maturation for an average of 15 months in 1 – 6 year old fine-grained French oak hogsheads, softens, enhances and integrates the fruit and structural components of the wine.

Tasting Note:

Inky deep purple red. Blackberry, cassis and dark chocolate primary aromas are highlighted with nuances of vanilla and roasted cashew. Concentrated blackberry and blueberry are contained by textured, chewy tannins. This layered, full-bodied Cabernet Sauvignon commands attention with its varietal intensity and promise of longevity.

Accolades:

• Trophy, Champion Cabernet - 2015 Spiegelau International Wine Competition, NZ
• Top 100 & Blue Gold medal - 2016 Sydney International Wine Competition
• Gold medal - Spiegelau International Wine Competition, NZ
• Gold medal - 2015 NZ International Wine Show, class 15a
• Gold medal - 2015 International Wine Challenge, Vienna
• Gold medal - 2015 Berlin Wine Trophy, Germany
• Silver medal - 2015 International Wine & Spirit Competition, UK
• Silver medal - 2015 Royal Adelaide Wine Show, class 25
• Silver medal - 2015 Royal Hobart Wine Show, class 21
• Silver medal - 2015 China Wine & Spirit Awards
• Silver medal - 2015 Mundus Vini International Wine Awards, Germany
• Silver medal - 2014 McLaren Vale Wine Show, class 15
• 93 pts - 2016 James Halliday Australian Wine Companion