notes: 2008 Deep red with purple tint

A perfumed nose of pure cassis and blackberry, with subtle notes of dark chocolate and liquorice integrated with smoky cedar aromas.

The palate is medium bodied with rich complex dark cassis and blackberry fruit, persistent length of flavour, finishing with elegantly firm tannins. A beautifully balanced and densely flavoured combining a powerful mouth feel with expression of fruit never overtaken by supporting and tannin structure. Made for extended cellaring for 15 or more years. Decant before serving Varietal composition 88%, Petit Verdot 7%, 5% Bottling Date April 2010 Fermentation Method Fermentation in 8 tonne static stainless steel fermenters with most parcels undergoing long on skins Fermentation Time 6-10 days Yeast type AWRI 796/BM45 Skin Contact Time 10-30 days Barrel Origin 100% French Oak Barriques Darguad & Jaegle, Seguin Moreau, Taransaud & Sirgue Time in barrel 22 months MLF 100% Alcohol 14.2% Residual Sugar 0.52 g/L Acidity (TA) 7.1g/L pH 3.53 Region Coonawarra Yield 2-3.5 tonnes/acre Date of 23rd March – 4th April Vine Age 23 years Clone Reynella Selection Soil Type Terra Rossa over Limestone

The name first growth, based on an old world, specifically 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 2008 vintage received 96 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 2008 MEDIA REVIEWS

An outstanding First Growth that will stay alive in the cellar longer than proportions might forecast, thanks to the vibrancy of its acidity melding neatly with fruit power sand taut tannin. The bouquet captures red and blackcurrant, leaf, mint and tobacco nuances while the palate is built around vibrant, crunchy redcurrants. Tyson Stelzer, WBM, February, 2011

Wines like this are the reason you don't read about spirallingly ear- splitting First Growth Bordeaux offerings in Wine Taste Weekly. 2008 Parker is a Cabernet blend of true First Growth endurance. Such is its wall of tannin that it must not, under any circumstances, be approached shy of twenty years in the cellar. Incredible power of blackcurrant and cassis fruit, with fragrant violet perfume, underlyined by dark chocolate oak, with nuances of black olives and black licorice. This is a wine of tremendous concentration, with structural assertiveness to maintain brilliant line of linear definition, finishing crunchy and precise. The tannin profile is monumental, firm and mouth-evading, yet with a textural finesse that keeps it under consummate control at every instant. Don't miss one of the greats in the lineage of First Growth when its unleashed on the world. 96 points. Tyson Stelzer, WBM, April 2012

PARKER COONAWARRA ESTATE - P.O. BOX 305 COONAWARRA SOUTH AUSTRALIA - www.parkercoonawarraestate.com.au FIRST GROWTH JAMES HALLIDAY 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