2020 Woodlands Vineyard 'Eleanor'

Each year our Cabernet Sauvignon is named in honour of a family member or friend. 

The 2020 Woodlands Cabernet Sauvignon is named ‘Eleanor’ after Elizabeth and Ben's daughter. Always smiling, full of personality and charm - Eleanor is an absolute joy.

Born in December 2020- it was wonderful to end a difficult year on such a truly wonderful note.

Our Cabernet Sauvignon is sourced from our original plantings of Cabernet Sauvignon, Malbec and Cabernet Franc. The soil profile of this single south facing slope is generally sandy loam over gravel and clay. These plots receive the greatest number of sunlight hours on our vineyard, but the east-west orientation of the vines ensures a slow fruit maturation.

Vintage 2020 produced excellent wines, albeit in very low quantities. In fact, this was almost our lowest crop of Cabernet Sauvignon ever at Woodlands. Winter was classic with good rainfall, and spring was generally moderate. October brought significant hail, which led to a yield reduction of around 20%. Summer was hot and dry, similar to 1980, with almost no rain falling, further reducing yields and concentrating flavours.

Handpicked between 18 and 23 March, the fruit was destemmed, hand sorted, crushed and then fermented in small stainless steel fermenters. Following fermentation, the Cabernet Sauvignon ferments remained on skins for an average of 24 days before being pressed. After 20 months in new French oak the wine was filtered, and bottled on the 19th January 2021.

'Eleanor' is a blend of 95% Cabernet Sauvignon, 4% Malbec and 1% Cabernet Franc. The colour is a very deep crimson. The nose features a brooding mix of violet, red and black fruits, and dry garden herbs. On opening, charry oak is predominant, but time and aeration integrates all the components. The palate is firm and dense, blue fruits combining with ripe mulberry and blackcurrant. Clean racy acidity runs throughout, adding tension and minerality. The finish is long and dry, leaving a lasting impression of power.

At this stage this wine still needs some time to unravel, but it is built for the long haul!

It will be best enjoyed from 2033 to 2040.

Match with Irish lamb stew, or artichoke and wild mushroom pie.