Attollo Cabernet Sauvignon 2020 Wallcliffe

 

The Attollo Cabernet Sauvignon 2020 Wallcliffe  was made from a sustainably farmed parcel of fruit from the Wallcliffe Subregion in the Margaret River region.  The fruit was hand tended throughout the growing season following solely organic practices with no herbicide.  The wine was made utilising a “hands-off” approach, with a focus on limited additions, gravity flow operations and Biodynamique principles.  The vinification aimed to create an elegant wine with structure and depth that will provide ageability for the short to medium term, depending on your cellaring conditions.

 

The 2020 growing season was a good average growing season, with moderate even ripening and mostly a rainfree season.  There was some unevenness in white varieties but reds were quite even.  Fruit was high quality with beautiful perfume, fresh flavours and savoury elegant to ripe tannin.   2020 is a consistent vintage- not outstanding but very good overall.

 

 Bessil Road Walcliffe Subregion Cabernet Sauvignon grown using a VSP trellis on grey gravel loams over mottled clay.  The vines were planted in 1996 and this vine age (24 years old in 2020) combined with this inland terroir provides for fresh savoury perfumed cabernet, with a tantalizing dance of ripe and savoury flavours and a fresh natural acidity, balanced with sweet fine tannins with a savoury feel.  1.479t was hand picked on the 26thMarch 2020 at 13.34 Baume 3.35pH and 6.3ta on a biodynamic fruit day.  The fruit was destemmed and conveyed to an open fermenter to soak for a day or two before ferment started spontaneously.  Wild ferments in Cabernet Sauvignon draw out beautiful nuances of the vineyards terroir into the wine.  The Cabernet was pumped over using a gravity and bucket pour back to the cap, twice per day.  The pumpovers were longer initially and became shorter as the ferment passed the midway point.  The Cabernet was left on skins for 23 days to build mid palate sweetness and structure through extended maceration.  Once deemed ready, the Cabernet was basket pressed to barrel, of which 25% was second use French Oak [Demptos 2 year Tight Grain Medium Toast French Oak].  The Cabernet was left to go through malolactic ferment on lees, after which a small amount of sulphur was added and it was matured on lees for 15 months, with monthly stirring for the first 12.  The final wine was blended after 15 months maturation in June 2021 and left to clarify and stabilise in stainless steel drums.  The wine was bottled without fining or filtration in November 2021.

 

pH 3.43

Titrateable Acidity [TA] 6.1g/L

Residual Sugar [RS] 0.6.g/L

Volatile Acidity [VA] 0.64g/l

Alcohol 13.6%

 

Cases Bottled  

1050L

233 pack screw cap

 

Cellaring Best

 Best 2020-23, Maximum 2030

 

 

Taste [04/12/21]

 

The wine has a beautiful bright red centre with a pink red hue.  The nose is filled with glazed cherries and red fruits, with a. hint of cassis and a distinctive fragrant perfume from the Wallcliffe terroir. French oak plays a supportive role with a subtle chocolate cedar note.  The palate is deliberately moderate with restraint and elegance.  The wine currently has a supple and flavorsome midpalate, with a precise focus from a good fresh natural acidity and lovely fine dry tannins, affording a dry savoury finish.  The aim is to make something Intensely Subtle.  At first impression – it may seem a bit light, a bit lacking, but I pose the question – is it?  Enjoy a glass, or the bottle and think about it.   As the Wallcliffe is focussed on fresher fruit characters- a quick chill in the fridge can enhance enjoyment – especially in the warmer months.