This wine comes from vines that were hand planted, using a shovel, 20 years ago. They were subsequently pruned quite strongly to help nurse them through the extreme drought. A French Oak 4 barrel blend 255 new. Colours are an inviting blend of blackish purple that segues into a shimmering rouge/crimson as it encounters the perimeter of the glass. Evocative perfumes rise from the wine offering vigorous scents of cassis and black berries with some spice and vanilla and underlying earth.
The palate showcases the exceptional fruit weight of the 2019 vintage with cassis, mulberries, blueberries, the spice is there but difficult to tease out it’s components as the fruit is so muscular, I do get some black pepper there is also a lovely earthy taste underneath and emerging late, acid seems beautifully balanced with the fruit and the tannins are initially quite svelte but assert themselves as you begin to slide down from the fruit swell and transfer their arid drought experience to the confines of your mouth.
The overall balance and structure is exemplary, this is another great 2019 Granite Belt Cabernet Sauvignon. Like the Boireann this is a powerful wine but the two are different, they are both dry but there is more purple/blue fruit in the Pyramids Road and the tannins are somewhat more assertive. Similarly to the Boireann this wine can be enjoyed now for those who do like young tannins but I strongly suggest you cellar it as it will sleep long and wake as something immensely loveable.
So three 2019 Granite Belt Cabernet Sauvignons that now signal perhaps the best Cabernet vintage the region has seen to date. The Girraween Estate made with a gentler hand and the Boireann and Pyramids Road built as true monty’s for the cellar – go get’em while they’re available!
Tasted: Sunday 16th August, 2020 without food and then with over several hours.
Alcohol: 14.5%
Closure: Screwcap
Price: $35
Suggested Drinking Window: 2024 – 2040+
Winemaker: Warren Smith
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