Winemaker Notes
The High Trellis has a typical young Cabernet Sauvignon attack on the nose; lifted mint and capsicum Cabernet edges above a rich, ripe blackberry, plum and liquorice base. Lighter typical cassis and blackcurrant aromas are also evident. A little smoky vanillin oak and cinnamon smells are usually present on top of brooding violet scented fruit and sweet cedar aromas.
On the tongue, mouth filling sweet blackberries, plums and blackcurrant flavours are highlighted by the rich, strong mid palate. Mulberry-like fruit continues from the mid palate balanced by finely structured and firm fruit and oak tannin on the typically long, fresh young tangy finish.
After time in bottle d'Arenberg's High Trellis Cabernet develops brick red-brown colour and classical, elegant cigar-box, tobacco, coffee and mocha smells. With significant bottle age d'Arenberg's High Trellis is invariably supported by aromas of violets, truffles, cooked beetroot, toffee and stewed rhubarb. These characters continue onto the palate where serious cashewy, black olive, liquorice and earthy chocolate flavours can be found after time. The wine's new oak overlay evident when younger, evolves into a consistent, evenly weighted rolling, cedary coffee-bean, mocha soft dusty length followed by an invariably vibrant fresh acid - tannin finish.
Professional Ratings
A noble variety bestowed with both power and concentration, Cabernet Sauvignon enjoys success all over the globe, its best examples showing potential to age beautifully for decades. Cabernet Sauvignon flourishes in Bordeaux's Medoc where it is often blended with Merlot and smaller amounts of some combination of Cabernet Franc, Malbecand Petit Verdot. In the Napa Valley, ‘Cab’ is responsible for some of the world’s most prestigious, age-worthy and sought-after “cult” wines. Somm Secret—DNA profiling in 1997 revealed that Cabernet Sauvignon was born from a spontaneous crossing of Cabernet Franc and Sauvignon Blanc in 17th century southwest France.
Known for opulent red wines with intense power and concentration, McLaren Vale is home to perhaps the most “classic” style of Australian Shiraz. Vinified on its own or in Rhône Blends, these hot-climate wines are deeply colored and high in extract with signature hints of dark chocolate and licorice. Cabernet Sauvignon is also produced in a similar style.
Whites, often made from Chardonnay or Sauvignon Blanc tend to be opulent and full of tropical, stone and citrus fruit.