1996 Parker Coonawarra Estate Terra Rossa First Growth

Since the first release of the 1988 vintage this wine has quickly gained a reputation as one of Australia's finest wines. This wine is made from the finest parcels of Cabernet Sauvignon fruit along with small amounts of Merlot and Cabernet Franc, depending on seasonal conditions. Only in exceptional years will the Parker Coonawarra Estate Terra Rossa First Growth be made. No wine was produced in 1992 and 1995.1996 was an excellent year in Coonawarra. The 1996 vintage was made from an increased number of parcels of fruit which exhibited distinctive characteristics, this in turn has resulted in a wine with greater complexity and depth.Made from a blend of 87% Cabernet Sauvignon and 13% Merlot. At around $90 a bottle one has enormous expectations - its serious money for a wine drinker - a weeks drinking budget down in one session! This wine won't disappoint. Opaque crimson colour. Magnificent nose of cedar, violets, blackcurrants and just a hint of liquorice. The palate delivers a remarkable, length, breadth and depth of flavour, and for persistence alone, this wine justifies the $90 price tag. Superbly integrated flavours of blackcurrant, liquorice, truffle and vanilla oak. Perfect - absolutely perfect balance with exceptionally fine tannins and very very long liquorice blackcurrant and cedar aftertaste. Cellar 8 - 15 years.