Circa 77 Cabernet Sauvignon
Vibrant characteristic aromas of ripe black fruits and subtle spicy, toasty oak lead to a generous palate of juicy cassis, supple tannins and savoury overtones.
Vineyard
The Cabernet Sauvignon comes predominantly from the estate-grown Houghton clone, which provides a balance of fruit-driven flavours, impeccable structure and fine tannins. The vineyard’s ancient granite soils are amongst the oldest on the planet, with an abundance of ironstone gravel. These free-draining soils have low water and nutrient holding capacities, providing the optimum growing conditions to achieve balance between foliage and fruit, and superb aroma and flavour intensity. The Indian and Southern Oceans meet here, engulfing the vineyards with fresh, sea breezes, promoting natural balance in the grapes. The vineyard is managed sustainably with an
wealth of sustainable strategies, including cover crops, promotion of biodiversity, water management and sheep grazing to manage weeds.
Vintage
Average winter rainfall, and a warm, dry spring set up an early start to the season. Variable fruit set resulted in lower yields, which combined with the warm summer saw one of the earliest harvests ever. Warm conditions continued throughout March, with all the reds harvested by April. 2020 was an excellent vintage.
Winemaking
The fruit was crushed and destemmed then fermented in a combination of rotary and static fermenters at 26°C for five to seven days. A portion of the blend was left for a period of extended maceration on skins followed by a gentle pressing adding plushness and a savoury textural element to the wine. The various batches underwent malolactic conversion in a combination of tank and barrel before 14 months maturation in a selection French oak barriques (20% new).
Tasting Notes
Polished and opulent, with characteristic aromas of ripe black fruits and subtle spicy, toasty oak lead to a generous palate of moreish juicy cassis, supple tannins and savoury overtones.
Grape
Cabernet Sauvignon 89%, Cabernet Franc 5%, Merlot 4%, Petit Verdot 2%
To find out more about the winery, click here to go to the website
Xanadu is a true pioneer of the Margaret River region producing fresh and vibrant coastal wines. The estate was established by Dr John Lagan, an Irishman, who arrived in Margaret River in 1968. Captivated by the pioneering spirit of the region, along with his wife Eithne, he planted his first vines in 1977. Inspired by the beauty of the setting, they named the property after the mysterious, idyllic paradise in Samuel Coleridge’s poem, Kubla Khan: Xanadu. True to its poetic namesake, Xanadu is in an idyllic setting, where 65 hectares of vines flourish on the original estate. Passionate and dedicated winemaker Glenn Goodall joined in 1999, combining intuitive winemaking, and a deep respect for the sustainably cultivated vineyard- which is a member of Sustainable Winegrowing Australia- he produces world-class wines of distinction. Glenn was awarded Halliday’s ‘Best Winemaker of the Year Australia 2023’ and in 2018 Xanadu won the Jimmy Watson memorial trophy.
Go to our website to see our full range of Xanadu wines by clicking here
Circa 77 Cabernet Sauvignon
£16.49 a bottle
4 in stock
Xanadu has a long history of producing wines of distinction. By the early Eighties it was already winning awards, and had begun establishing a reputation as one of the finest wineries in the region, a reputation that is being consolidated since the purchased of Xanadu Wines by the Rathbone family in 2005.
This state is a relatively small contributor to the country's grape plantings. However it does not stop the state being responsible for some of the finest wines coming out of Australia. This region clearly has a turning point in its wine producing status. Research reports from Californian viticulturalist Professor Harold Olmo, in the 1950s, and the Western Australian scientist Dr John Gladstone, in the 1960s, indicated that the more southern cooler regions of Western Australia where very well suited for production of world quality wines. Now these regions: Margaret River, Great Southern and Pemberton are the major wine producing regions of Western Australia. Margaret River region is now one of the premium regions of Australia and regarded along with Coonawarra and Yarra Valley as one of the three premium Cabernet Sauvignon areas in Australia.
Probably the world’s most famous red grape variety. Originated from Bordeaux and has been present in Australia since 1832.
Wherever it has been planted the resulting wine has developed its own identity yet it is always recognisable. Although it will vary in intensity the aroma will always be dominated by berry characteristics in the classic wines and the tannins will be firm or textured and soften with age. Cabernet Sauvignon is high in acid and tannin and remains fresh for many years. It can be earthy and display strong blackcurrant flavours. The naturally high tannin and inherent complexity mean all Cabernet Sauvignons will improve with age.
Coonawarra, with its prized ‘terra rossa’ soils, Margaret River, Mount Barker (Great Southern) and Yarra Valley regions are considered the premium Cabernet Sauvignon areas in Australia.
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