2009 Wirra Wirra The Angelus Cabernet Sauvignon

Stunning, richer styled Cabernet from the McLaren Vale masters at Wirra Wirra
The massive Angelus bell from the old Jesuit church at Norwood, rescued from an Adelaide Junk Yard in an operation epitomising Greg Trott’s legacy, now tops the Wirra Wirra cellar. Given its traditional role of heralding the beginning and end of vintage, as well as other special events, it could well ring out to celebrate this stunning effort from the new winemaking team of Paul Smith and David Carpenter. Produced through the astute blending of fruit from the Seaview and McLaren Flat sub-districts, the 2009 The Angelus is a balanced statement on how attention to finer regional details can create wines distinguished from the often generic, regional “branding” presented to drinkers in the Australian market. Each fruit parcel was picked in small batches and fermented separately. Each vineyard block was individually assessed for barrel selection. Each batch was matured separately for 20 months prior to blending. McLaren Vale is diverse, and can manifest a greater range of expressions than just the darker than night, fruit bomb, whole of region reds we see most often. The Angelus is a celebration of this diversity, and the type of quality wine that hints at a maturity in Australian winemaking that may lead to a more formal recognition of some of our well established region's sub-districts. Listed in the "Best of Cabernet Sauvignon" category -James Halliday’s 2012 Wine Companion
Totally opaque black dark crimson red colour with deep dark crimson red black hue. The nose displays an intense aromatic profile of perfectly ripened blackcurrant, some dark chocolate and dark plum followed by some spicy cedar. Magnificent palate delivering an explosive wave of fruit that engulfs the palate. Full bodied, rich, yet refined palate flavours of ripe blackcurrant, cassis and dark chocolate followed by some subtle cedar cigar box back palate flavours and spice. Velvet smooth but structured tannins. Magnificent depth with exceptionally long and persistent aftertaste of dark ripe blackcurrant, cedary cigar box like characters and spice.
Cellar 5-8 years (2017-2020)
Alc 14.5% Other reviews…
Strong crimson-purple; the January heat spike did this medium-bodied wine no harm at all; the blackcurrant and cassis fruit does have some powdery tannins, but only as much as you would expect; the fine, juicy finish is totally beguiling.
95 points
James Halliday’s 2012 Wine Companion