2020 Corymbia Calgardup Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon

Corymbia

Australia / Swan Valley / Corymbia

IDEA
This wine is the realisation of a dream seeded by Rob’s grandfather, Jack Mann, a departure from the orthodox, to achieve a unique expression of Margaret River Cabernet. Variety, place and experience are woven together to redefine what’s possible.
FRUIT
The third release from our dry-grown, organically farmed Calgardup Vineyard. Located just 2 km inland from the famous Redgate Beach in Margaret River. The fruit was harvested by hand in late March, a little earlier than the typical mid-April harvest dates we’re used to. The fruit was berry-sorted prior to natural, whole-berry fermentation in a single French oak vat. Maturation followed in very old demi-muids and barriques for 14 months.
FACTS
100% Cabernet Sauvignon (126 clone planted in 2002) from the Calgardup vineyard in Redgate, Margaret River. Planting density is 1785 vines per hectare on Keenan gravelly loam. The fruit was picked on 23rd and 26th March 2020. Alcohol 13.8%; pH 3.62; total acidity 4.87g/L. Bottled 28th May 2021
WINE
We love wines with spine and structure that comes from the grape and not from an oak tree grown on the other side of the world. No fancy winemaking or oak influence, just a relentless pursuit of perfection in the vineyard. This wine tastes of the grape, the dirt and the season without pretention, which is exactly what we want. Pomegranate, wild blackberries, violets and salted licorice characters are complemented by a palate of great energy and drive. It’s all framed by the vineyard’s typical graphite-like structure. Very satisfying. – Rob & Gen Mann

Erin Larkin

Halliday Wine Companion 2023

95 points.

Fruit from the Calgardup vineyard, 100% Cabernet Sauvignon. This wine has been tasted blind a number of times recently, and it is fascinating each time. The aromas are finely layered with cassis, exotic spice, salt bush, dried bay leaf ... there's also a faint backdrop of bacon fat, reminiscent of the Rhône. The tannins on the palate are a standout; super-fine and laid out like a web over the fruit. Very classy. This 2020 has more obvious fruit and structure than the 2019, but we expect that from the vintage. Drink this while you wait for the '19.

August, 2021

Gary Walsh

The Wine Front

95 points.

Distinctly saline smelling wine. I’m thinking iodine and seaweed and Dutch liquorice, along with blackberry and boysenberry, with some cumin and green cardamom spice. Medium-bodied, dense and tightly packed gravelly tannin, slight tamarind quality lends some tang, dried black olive, maritime feel a plenty, avast ye matey! A gummy chew to the long finish, and more towards redcurrant flavour in the aftertaste. Tension and structure. Quite different, but so very good.

September, 2021

Nick Stock

jamessuckling.com

95 points.

A very pure Cabernet with attractive blackcurrants, as well as violets, fresh herbs, brick-dust nuances and background oak spice. Very well crafted tannins are a highlight, carrying lively red and dark berries. More medium than full body. Drink over the next eight years. Screw cap.

October, 2021

Nick Stock

Gourmet Traveller WINE

95 points.

Attractive blackcurrant aromas with herbal nuances, terra cotta, violet, background oak spice, cedar and forest wood. The palate is streamlined and offers a fine weave of tannin carrying fresh red and dark berry flavours.

May, 2022

Erin Larkin

Halliday Wine Companion

95 points.

Fruit from the Calgardup vineyard, 100% cabernet sauvignon. This wine has been tasted blind a number of times recently, and it is fascinating each time. The aromas are finely layered with cassis, exotic spice, salt bush, dried bay leaf ... there's also a faint backdrop of bacon fat, reminiscent of the Rhône. The tannins on the palate are a standout; super-fine and laid out like a web over the fruit. Very classy. This 2020 has more obvious fruit and structure than the 2019, but we expect that from the vintage. Drink this while you wait for the '19.

Standard Bottle Out of Stock

About Corymbia

Corymbia is the deep-rooted, far-sighted vision of husband-and wife-team, Rob and Genevieve Mann. The Mann name is synonymous with Western Australia’s Swan Valley, where Rob’s pioneering grandfather Jack worked a remarkable 51 consecutive vintages for Houghton. Rob was just a boy when he joined his father - former Australian test cricketer Tony - in planting the vines on what is now the dry-grown, organically farmed Corymbia vineyard.
After building an exceptional reputation in their own right, the couple kicked off their homecoming dream, Corymbia, with the 2013 vintage, during Rob’s tenure as estate director at Newton Vineyard in Napa Valley. Now firmly ensconced back in the Swan Valley, Rob and Gen’s Chenin Blanc and Tempranillo-dominant red blend sit at the heart of a bright future for this brilliant duo. And their Margaret River Cabernet Sauvignon, from their beautiful Calgardup Vineyard, is a new milestone for this region.

About

Rob was one of the crop of hotshots at Hardys during the reign of Stephen Pannell, before Rob himself took the mantle of senior winemaker at Hardys Tintara. From there he established a name for himself as one of the great talents of his generation during his time at the helm of Cape Mentelle - eventually being handpicked to radically ramp up quality at LVMH's Napa estate Newton Vineyard. Genevieve, meanwhile, worked in South Africa, France, California and South Australia prior to moving to Margaret River in 2007 in the role of winemaker for Howard Park.