2000 Penley Estate Phoenix Cabernet Sauvignon Winery: Penley Estate Vintage: 2000 Region: Coonawarra Bottle Size: 750ml Variety: Cabernet Sauvignon Price: $40.00 (out of stock)

2000 PHOENIX CABERNET SAUVIGNON

Release: February 2002 Variety: Cabernet Sauvignon

Area: Coonawarra Analysis: 14.0% Alcohol, 6.3 g/l total acid, 3.45 pH

Country: Australia

Objective: To create a clearly approachable and drinkable young red wine showing the unique characteristics of Coonawarra.

Phoenix History: The Phoenix name recognises the first winemaking company purchased by Douglas Austral Tolley , purchased in 1888. This company began in 1858, as “The Phoenix Winemaking and Distilling Company”, in Stepney, South Australia. In 1888 this was changed to “Tolley Scott Tolley” (T.S.T.) and remained with the family till 1960. D.A Tolley’s great grandson, Kym Tolley, has continued the unbroken family winemaking tradition, establishing Penley Estate in 1988.

Coonawarra Connection: The value and quality of Coonawarra was first recognised by D. A. Tolley who supplied oak barrels and equipment to the district as early as 1908, gaining access to the wines of Coonawarra. To quote from early Tolley records: “The Coonawarra wines were distinctly different from Hope Valley (Tolley home vineyard site near Adelaide). They were dark purple in colour and they had characteristic aroma whilst fermenting.” Nothing has changed!

Vintage Comment: After good winter rains, 2000 ripening was clear and dry. Low temperatures early and late in the season combined with below average rainfall, and high summer temperatures.These growing conditions produced a low yielding harvest with good ripeness.

The Wine: The colour is bright crimson with hints of amber due to its oak maturation and specific handling techniques. The aroma is ripe and rich with fruit dominant and intensity typical of the 2000 Coonawarra vintage.Distinct blackberry/blackcurrant (Cassis) flavours, characteristic of a good Coonawarra cabernet sauvignon. The flavour is young and fruity with a hint of soft grape and oak tannin, so typical of the Penley Style, though reflecting an intensity that is evident in all our 2000 wines. 2000 is a ripe style with medium to full weight, reminiscent of our 1990 and 1998 cabernets. A wine that is full bodied but soft and balanced, approachable with distinct regional characteristics.

Maturation: The oak is minimal but discernible. The small amount of wood tannin and fruit flavours will aid maturation if required. Best enjoyed for next 1 to 5 years. Premium wine must have the ability for some bottle age, since there is sometimes 1 to 2 years between bottling and actual drinking.

Penley Style: The balance is a key feature in all Penley wines. This will ensure the wines will mature successfully in the bottle. This wine shows dominance of spicy cabernet fruit, a dense ripeness with hints of smoky oak and grape tannin. A wine made to enjoy while the young, ripe but elegant, distinct Coonawarra cabernet sauvignon characters are evident. 60% French Troncais Oak and 40% American was used. 50% of this oak was new, 50% was second hand. Barrel fermentation provided a balanced integration of oak and fruit. To maintain the style, the amount of time in oak each year will vary with the vintage.

Awards: Awards are now generally given to wines already bottled and labelled. Hence any awards are more likely in the year of sale.

Highly Commended Class 34 2001 Royal Hobart Wine Show (Silver Medal Equivalent)

***** The Age/Sydney Morning Herald “Uncorked” Winter 2001