Stella Bella, Cabernet Sauvignon, Margaret River, Australia, 2020

Producer Profile

This boutique winery in the heart of Margaret River creates idiosyncratic named ranges like Suckfizzle in a low interventionist and organic way keeping their approach as simple as possible to allow their cherished vineyards to show their quality.

It is not merely in the names where these wines are memorable, as once you have tasted them you will see why Luke Jolliffe, the winemaker, continues to receive recognition and awards from around the world for wines that have that wonderful Margaret River restraint and elegance, but are bound together with a fruit purity that makes them delectable.

Viticulture

Cabernet Sauvignon vines are planted on gravel soils know as Forest Grove gravelly loams. These ancient and unique soils that are specifically named after the Forest Grove area in Southern Margaret River. These soils drain exceptionally well to restrict vine vigour, allowing the fruit to ripen in the beautiful Margaret River sunshine and to cool in the refreshing afternoon sea breezes from the Southern and Indian Oceans. Stella Bella Cabernet is a blend of the best of five Southern Margaret River vineyards ranging in vine age from 28-45 years old.

Winemaking

The Cabernet is harvested at optimum fruit ripeness to enhance the violet perfume and red and blue fruit character of southern Margaret River. The fruit is handled gently, with minimal maceration to ensure whole berries and a pseudo carbonic maceration. After cold soaking, we ferment at warm temperatures of approx. 28 degrees and press based on fruit aroma, extraction and our desired mouthfeel. Maturation in small format French oak barriques for up to 12 months, where the toast and forest is carefully selected based on its suitability for each vineyards fruit aroma and flavour profile.

Oak Ageing

Time: 12 Months
Type: French oak
% wine oaked: 100
% new oak: 33

Tasting Note

Abundant aromas of raspberries, cranberry and fresh plums spring from the glass in an alluring perfume, supported by delicate hints violet and graphite. A medium bodied wine that is pretty, supple and salivating. Vibrant flavours of red currant and fresh cranberry are complimented by hints of satsuma plum and delicate notes of vanillin from French Oak. Focused, ripe tannins deliver length and a salivating finish.

Food Matching

Ideal with barbecued veal, lamb rack or Manchego cheese.