Serpico Cabernet Sauvignon 2020

Story

A cabernet sauvignon, done differently. In the late 1960s, Detective Frank Serpico famously broke ranks to expose the immense depth of corruption in the NYPD. Like its namesake, Serpico goes against the grain to produce a unique Apassimento method McLaren Vale cabernet sauvignon.

Tasting Note

Rich and intense with dark fruits of blackcurrant and ripe blackberry, notes of rhubarb and savoury subtleties, dark chocolate, coffee, and a hint of liquorice. The wine’s caramel-like slipperiness encases fine yet firm powdery tannins which, along with succulent acidity, balance the richness of the palate on the finish.

Winemaking

Following the traditional Appassimento technique, the fruit was handpicked at 13.4˚ Baume and placed onto 10kg drying crates. The grapes were then transferred to our temperature and humidity controlled storage shed to dry for 25 days. This resulted in a 30% loss in bunch weight, concentrating aromas and flavours and softening tannins. Once sufficiently dried and concentrated, the fruit was destemmed and crushed into an open top fermenter and pumped over twice daily throughout ferment. After pressing, the wine was transferred to 60% new and 40% one year old French oak hogshead barrels, where it underwent natural malolactic fermentation and 24 months maturation. We then carefully assessed each barrel for inclusion in the final blend. The 2020 Serpico Cabernet Sauvignon was made without finings and received only light filtration prior to bottling.

Vineyard

Lopresti Lot 11 – Flour Mill Road, Whites Valley.
Black and grey Biscay clays predominate, sitting over alluvial Ngaltinga formation. These highly reputed soils maintain moisture during the growing season, then dry out and crack open in summer, controlling vine vigour and concentrating flavours in the fruit. Cooling sea breezes off Gulf St Vincent mediate daytime heat and keep nights cool, retaining acidity and vibrancy.

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