Passel Estate Lot 71 Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon 2015

The Cabernet Sauvignon vines (Houghton clones) are oriented north-south, employing VSP trellising and cane pruning. Very minimal irrigation is applied, only prior to and during hot weather events, to avoid heat stress and its damaging effects on fruit qualityShoot thinning is employed (2 passes) to reduce cropping to target levels. Lateral leaf removal takes place immediately after fruit set; the canopy is opened up on the eastern side so that bunches are fully exposed to morning sunlightBunches are also thinned to ensure adequate separation. A single leaf layer is maintained on the western side of the canopy to protect the fruit from the hot afternoon sun. Half way through veraison 5% of the fruit is dropped (along with any secondary bunches), to achieve cropping levels at 6.5 to 7 tonne per ha (though yields were lower in 2015). The fruit is then covered with bird netting throughout to harvest ABV 13.9%Tasting notesBrooding aromas of graphite, blueberries, anise and redcurrant are fl