First Growth Vintage 2005
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FIRST GROWTH Winemaker notes: VINTAGE 2005 Deep red with purple tint An intense nose of pure cassis, liquorice and subtle seaweed notes with smoky French oak. Layered blackcurrant, mint and leather on the palate combine with the elegant oak frame for a long and fine mouth-feel. A softer finish than normal with fine suede-like tannins. Appraised as one of the outstanding vintage of this label, the 2005 vintage was warm, dry and early ripening. Made for extended cellaring for 15 or more years. Decant before serving. Varietal composition Cabernet Sauvignon 91%, Merlot 9% Bottling Date March 2007 Fermentation Method Fermentation in 8 tonne static stainless steel fermenters with most parcels undergoing long maceration on skins Fermentation Time 7 days Yeast type AWRI 796/BM45 Skin Contact Time 8-30 days Barrel Origin 100% new French Oak Barriques Seguin Moreau Chateau and Taransaud Chateau Time in barrel 19 months MLF 100% Alcohol 14.7% Residual Sugar 0.37 g/L Acidity (TA) 7.8g/L pH 3.37 Viticulture Region Coonawarra Yield 2.0-3.5 tonnes/acre Date of Harvest 7-8th April Vine Age 20 years Clone Reynella Selection Soil Type Terra Rossa over Limestone The name first growth, based on an old world, specifically Bordeaux philosophy, represents the selection of the best parcels of Coonawarra fruit for Parker Coonawarra Estate. Proud of its region and humbled by critical review, including Langton's 'excellent' classification. As the custodians of Parker Coonawarra Estate, our aim is to uphold the tradition of authentic Coonawarra heritage and to add to the pedigree since the founder late John Parker began over 25 years ago. Since the first vintage of 1988 was released in 1991, the Parker First Growth wine is only made in the best seasons and when vintage is deemed to have ageing potential beyond 15 years cellaring. No First Growth was made in 1992, 1995, 1997, 2002, 2003 or 2007. The 2005 vintage received 93 points from James Halliday and is proudly 5-star rated. PARKER COONAWARRA ESTATE - P.O. BOX 305 COONAWARRA SOUTH AUSTRALIA - www.parkercoonawarraestate.com.au FIRST GROWTH VINTAGE 2005 MEDIA REVIEWS Glorious deep purple-red; a complex bouquet, with fruit and oak both evident; the grippy tannins on the palate come as a shock; puzzling why they were not fined more. 93 points James Halliday Australian Wine Companion 2009 A juicy cassis character behind fine, dry oak nose, rich full bodied wine with a firm sinew of acidity and firm refined tannin; long complex, generous, mouthcoating flavour with superb length, Lovely grand scale. Decanter Magazine (UK), Michael Schuster, March 2009 The 2005 flagship wine of this small Coonawarra producer is a classic cabernet from the region and, with the 2001, ranks as its best ever. The 2005 Terra Rossa Frist Growth is delightfully fragrant, has deep, ripe redcurrant, macerated cherry and cassis flavours beautifully integrated with classy cedary oak, a seductive, velvety texture and fine, slinky tannins. It has elegance and finesse and, although it will improve in the short term, deserves to be drunk at its peak in five to eight years. Gourmet Traveller Wine, Peter Forrestal, June/July 08, page 161 This reserve bottling certainly shows ripeness and depth, some intense fruit, black olives and boot polish, warm berry fruits with assertive charry pak sweetening the fruit aromas. The palate is an action-packed assembly of rich fruit and punchy oak, which are starting to integrate; settling into savoury cassis flavour, it reveals its hand with balanced resolve through the finish. 4.5 stars 94 points The Penguin Good Australian Wine Guide 2009, Nick Stock An opaque black/purple core. The nose is very closed at the moment of course, but seems to have fine concentration with touches of iodine and seaweed, much more Cabernet than the 2004. Silky smooth on the entry, the palate is very cohesive and harmonious with exquisite purity and definition. Firm grip, very elegant, a beautiful, sensuous wine. Drink 2015-2030. 94 POINTS NEAL MARTIN - ROBERT PARKER .COM – NOVEMBER 2007 It’s rated ‘Outstanding’ – just under Grange – in the premium Aussie-wine Langton’s Classification. This muscular blend 91% Cabernet Sauvignon, 9% Merlot….. It’s still tightly focussed sporting grippy tannins along with generous fruit flavours – sweet cassis and tart pie cherry, …plus a lengthy well-balanced finish. Winecurrent.com, Canadian LCBO newsletter 5/11/08 PARKER COONAWARRA ESTATE - P.O. BOX 305 COONAWARRA SOUTH AUSTRALIA - www.parkercoonawarraestate.com.au FIRST GROWTH JAMES HALLIDAY AUSTRALIAN WINE COMPANION VINTAGE POINTS 2009 90 2008 95 2006 96 2005 93 2004 94 2001 94 2000 94 1999 93 1998 93 1996 92 PARKER COONAWARRA ESTATE - P.O. BOX 305 COONAWARRA SOUTH AUSTRALIA - www.parkercoonawarraestate.com.au.