1996 Zema Estate Cluny Dry Red

Zema Estate is a tiny viticultural jewel consisting of a twenty acre site on the western side of the main road which bisects Coonawarra. The tiny estate is surrounded by the corporate giant Southcorp, with its plantings of vines for their Wynns, Lindemans and Penfolds brands. The Zema family are traditionalists, choosing not to irrigate their vines thus producing intense, highly concentrated fruit which is reflected in their wines. The Zema Estate Cluny vineyard is located on the southern tip of Coonawarra and the 1996 vintage is only the fourth release from this vineyard - but what an impressive wine! A Bordeaux blend with 65% Cabernet, 15% Merlot, 8% Malbec and 12% Cabernet Franc. Opaque crimson colour. This is a multi layered wine which gradually reveals all - like a sensory dance of the seven veils the layers of aromas and flavours are all peeled off to display a complex sophisticated wine. Initially it's the merlot that dominates the nose with its earthy truffle like aromas and then the other aroma notes follow - mulberries, leather, blackcurrant, liquorice and chocolate dominant with earthy spice flavours on the back palate. Fine grained tannin structure. Cellar 3-5 years.