Briar Ridge Cold Soaked Cabernet Sauvignon Orange, 2017

A densely coloured and intense wine. 2017 was one of the latest vintages on record due to a very cold winter which delayed budburst so that Cabernet Sauvignon in Orange was picked in late April. Aromas of blackcurrants and cherry menthol precede smooth ripe fruit flavours on the palate. It is medium bodied and supple with a long cherry finish. Cold Soaked Cabernet refers to the technique by which grapes are left to macerate at low temperature to extract colour and flavours before the alcoholic fermentation starts. The wine was matured in tank for 14 months and bottled in October 2019, with no use of oak.