2018 Bleasdale Frank Potts Cabernet Blend

The founder, the highly inventive, industrious and resourceful Frank Potts (1815 - 1890), to whom this wine is dedicated, is a 19th century genius, and a pioneer who has been described as being “made of the right stuff and well worthy of the grand old land that gave him birth.” He arrived in Australia as a 21 year old, having set sail from Plymouth England, and landing late in 1836. By the 1860’s, he had planted the original 30 acres of vineyard on the banks of the Bremmer Creek. Potts was highly admired - “One meets with extraordinary characters through life, but I doubt whether his equal could be found. In appearance a stranger would take him to be a poor labourer, with a thin, spare figure and long unkempt hair and invariably wearing his shirt sleeves tucked up. Although a most uncouth-looking person, and yet this man is a perfect genius! There is not a single thing mechanical or otherwise undertaken by him which he does not succeed in...” So remarked Inspector Tolmer, who was later to become Commissioner of Police, South Australia. Frank was one of the first to recognise the benefits of red gum. After building several houses for himself, he made tools and a bullock dray to cut down and haul these massive timbers in order to construct a gigantic twin wine press and several enormous wine vats. He also created the irrigation system that's still in place today. What little spare time he might have had was spent building a piano and various race winning yachts!

Rich and amply fleshed with a complexing backdrop.

A blend of 69% Cabernet Sauvignon, 16% Merlot, 10% Petit Verdot, and 5% Malbec, with maturation taking place in French oak puncheons and hogsheads (25% new) for a period of 12 months.

Midnight black in colour with a deep dark red black tinged hue. Pronounced blackcurrant and plum scents are accompanied by mint, vanillin cedar, subtle earthy tobacco notes and spice. Rich and showing plenty of flesh, the medium bodied palate is layered with ripe blackcurrant and dark plum fruits which meld into a complexing back drop of tobacco, mint, spicy vanillin cedar and earth nuances. Sturdy but polished tannins are well integrated with the fruit. Finishes with a youthful vibrancy and long concentrated aftertaste.
Cellar 6-8 years.
Alc. 14%

Other Reviews….
The aromas soar with violets, blackberries and exotic spices although the medium-bodied palate is somewhat reticent. Tannins are neatly poised although there's a slight green-walnut edge to the oak; this has already found its groove. Drink by 2028.
95 points
Jane Faulkner – James Halliday’s Australian Wine Companion