1998 Leasingham Classic Clare Cabernet Sauvignon

Notes sourced from BRL Hardy.

Established in 1893 Leasingham Wines has been an integral part of the Clare Valley for over 100 years. Today, Leasingham’s 300 hectares of vineyards located to the north and south of Clare provide the premium fruit, which along with the winemaking commitment and expertise, enable Leasingham to produce outstanding, award winning regional wines.
The 1998 vintage Cabernet demonstrates the hallmarks of this variety and region - richly concentrated yet maintaining true elegance and definition. 1998 was a superb ripening season for Cabernet in the Clare Valley, after mild, dry winter and spring, and a short hot summer. Mild warm sun-filled autumn days in March and April were the perfect condition for the dry-grown vines at Leasingham’s Schobers vineyard. The fruit developed rich and concentrated classic cabernet driven blackcurrant/cassis flavour, and elegant ripe tannins.Flavour-ripe fruit was harvested at between 13.5-14.0 and harnessed through small batch open fermentation on skins for 10 days, followed by maturation in 100% French oak barriques for approximately 20 months.
Tasting Notes: Deep red colour and brilliant clarity. The nose displays cassis and concentrated blackcurrant, with a hint of aniseed, dry cigar box, tobacco leaf, dried herb and clove spice notes. The palate displays rich full blackcurrant ribena and cassis flavours with leathery notes and complexing fruit cake characters. A supple texture with underlying fine grainy tannins, provides an integrated and generous persistence. 13.6% alcohol volume.
SHOW RESULTS: 2 Gold, 3 Silver, 7 Bronze