2018 Jeanneret Minerva Reserve Cabernet

2018 Minerva Clare Valley Cabernet Sauvignon

The Story
Our first ever release of a ‘Reserve’ Cabernet Sauvignon; a wine we have wanted to make for several years – it was just a case of waiting until we got the right parcel in the right vintage. 2018 answered the call. And, in particular, one 30 year old block in one of our Armagh vineyards stood out as offering the elegant, grassy, crisp cassis flavours we were after – it was the first Cabernet we harvested in 2018. Early on in fermentation the fruit showed gorgeous aromas of blackcurrants, and these were joined by blackberry and herbal notes (and a fabulous colour) together with the purity, elegance and intensity that we were after.

After pressing (in a horizontal basket press) the wine was aged on its gross lees for several months before racking to barrel – a mixture of second and third fill French oak barriques and hogsheads from four different cooperages. During its time in wood (in which time it was never racked), several barrel selections were done until we’d whittled it down to the eight best barrels. These were then blended, allowed to marry for 3 weeks, before bottling in December 2021 with no fining and no filtration.

71% second fill oak and 29% third fill.
100% Cabernet Sauvignon

Minerva, as the Roman goddess of wisdom, seems to embody the classicism and elegance we were after, in producing a wine that we hope is both aesthetically and intellectually satisfying.

The Wine
The 2018 Minerva has a lovely nose of blackcurrant, cherry, plum and blackberry with hints of cedar, menthol and black olive, and a touch of spice.

On the palate the black fruit manages to be rich and intense but fresh and elegant at the same time. And beautiful, fine-grained tannins give the wine excellent structure. There’s so much ripe, vibrant fruit and it’s wonderfully supported by cedar and anise spice and has a luscious soft mouthfeel making it immensely drinkable.

Utterly delicious now and should age really well. And roast beef or roast lamb would be absolutely perfect.

Winemaking Notes
Fermentation Temp: 27.4°C
Time on Lees: 230 days
Time in Oak: 31 months
Time on Skins: 12 days

Growing Conditions
Harvest date: 21/03/2018
Vineyard location: Armagh
Elevation: 375m
Growing season rainfall: 426mm

Food Pairing
Roast beef or roast lamb would be absolutely perfect.

Varieties: Cabernet
Vintage: 2018
Country: Australia
Region: Clare Valley
Alcohol: 14.5%
Bottle size: 750 mL