Winemaker Notes
The Gigglepot is Sarah and Sparky's daughter Holly, who couldn't stop laughing about how she looked with these crazy black glasses on.
Professional Ratings
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Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
Made with 100% McLaren Vale fruit and aged 80% in American oak with the balance 20% French, the deep garnet-purple 2012 Gigglepot Cabernet Sauvignon presents a nose of creme de cassis, chocolate-mint and a lovely spicy undercurrent accented by cinnamon stick. Full-bodied and voluptuous with tons of cassis flavor, it is very spicy and minty in the mouth and is framed by a low level of soft tannins through the long, warm finish. Drink it now to 2020+. Rating: 90+
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Wine Spectator
Chewy with tannins, featuring rumbling dark berry, black plum and peppermint flavors that flow gently through the long and expressive finish. Needs time to soften.
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.