Lake Breeze Bernoota Shiraz Cabernet 2019

‘Bernoota’ was the original name given to the homestead on the Lake Breeze property – it is an Aboriginal name for ‘camp among the gum trees’. The 2018 ‘Bernoota’ is a blend of Shiraz (60%) and Cabernet Sauvignon (40%), carefully selected from old vines on the Follett family vineyard. The wine was fermented on skins in open static fermenters for 7-10 days, followed by maturation for 20 months in American and French oak barriques. The wine shows dark fruit characters of blackberry and plums, with a hint of choc mint and smoky oak aromas. The palate encompasses all of the trademark Langhorne Creek fruit sweetness and soft tannins.

“60/40% shiraz/cabernet. The average vine age in this popular red blend is more than 40 years. Each vintage shows a gradual easing back of American oak in favour of French. New oak is also reduced, now to under 20%. That said, the barrels are still an important part of the personality of this wine. It’s a traditional style, abundant dark fruits, ripe and vibrant, with a heap of black pepper in the spice profile. A wine that keeps on giving with every glass and will do so for many years ahead.” – 92 Points & Special Value Wine Tony Love