2012 Block 3 Cabernet Sauvignon

The 2012 growing season followed a very wet period that included the previous summer and autumn of 2011. The winter was colder with below average rainfall followed by a mild to warm spring that was also fairly dry. Flowering was patchy such that the red grapes set a very low crop. Summer was also unusually mild with below average temperatures and no extreme weather events. Harvest began earlier in 2012 with Riesling producing balanced moderate crops and healthy canopies producing outstanding fruit. There was a considerable gap before the red harvest began even though the yield was less than a third of last year’s. Fortunately the payback for the exceedingly low cropping level was made in the form of exceptional quality. All in all an outstanding vintage that will rival 2002 for greatness.