2009 Yalumba The Cigar Coonawarra Cabernet Sauvignon

This is the third release of ‘Cigar’ from Yalumba’s Coonawarra ‘The Menzies’ Vineyard, with the fruit being sourced from some of the younger vines planted on the Estate in 1994. The name ‘Cigar’ is derived from the unique cigar like shape of Coonawarra’s famous terra rossa strip.

Coonawarra experienced an excellent vintage in 2009, producing fruit with excellent colour, flavour profile and tannin balance.
Produced using small batch winemaking techniques, grapes were crushed to small static fermenters and once the fermentation commenced the temperature was allowed to peak early at 30° C, then given more control around 20°C. This ensured good extraction of colour and tannin. The grapes stayed on skins for around seven days, though some tanks were given extended skin contact before pressing. Matured for 14 months in a combination of new, 1 year old and older French oak hogsheads and barriques, with some American & Hungarian oak hogsheads. Winemaker Peter Gambetta continues his hot run of form with Coonawarra Cabernets.
Retasted May 2011....
Opaque, black dark crimson red colour, with deep, dark crimson red hue. The nose displays perfumed aromas of blackcurrant, mulberry, cedar, cigar box and spice. Full bodied and possessing excellent concentration, the palate delivers rich, generous, yet refined flavours of ripe blackcurrant and dark mulberry, followed by some cedar with some spicy cigar box characters on the back palate. Fine grained, slightly firmish but balanced, structured tannins. Excellent depth, with long aftertaste of ripe blackcurrant, cedar and spicy cigar box.
Cellar 4-5 years (2015-2016)
Alc 14.0% First Tasted November 2010....
Opaque black dark crimson red colour with deep dark red hue. Aromas of cedar, mulberry and spice are followed by a touch of dark chocolate with a tobacco overlay. Medium to full bodied the palate displays generous flavours of blackcurrant, dark chocolate and spice followed by some underlying cedar on the back palate. Very fine grained tannins with long aftertaste of blackcurrant, dark chocolate and spicy cedar.
Cellar 3-4 years (2013-2014).
Alc 14.0%
94 Points