2017 Cato Tempranillo
$40.00
“Plump, fleshy and fabulously fruited”
Award winning Tempranillo from the Hilltops wine region in Southern NSW. We grafted Tempranillo on to some of our original rootstocks that were planted in 1973. In doing so, we have paid homage to one of Rioja’s great grapes.
- Vintage: 2017
- Variety: Tempranillo
- Alcohol:14%
- Region: Hilltops
- Bottle Size: 750ml
- Country: Australia
- Case Size: 12
Awards
Vintage 2017 (soon to be released)
- 94pts – Vinsomniac
- 93pts – Wine Matrix
- 93pts – Sam Kim, Wine Orbit
Vintage 2015
- 93pts – James Halliday
- 94pts – Sam Kim, Wine Orbit
- GOLD – Sydney Royal Wine Show
- GOLD – Canberra Regional Show
- GOLD – Wine Showcase Magazine
Technical & Tasting Notes
VITICULTURE
Two different clones grafted to three blocks with varying aspects at an elevation of 600m.
WINE MAKING
The fruit was cold soaked pre-fermentation and matured in new French oak barrels for 12 months.
TASTING NOTES
The bouquet offers vibrant and bright cherries dusted in dark cocoa, along with subtle notes of oak. The palate is concentrated and luscious; more cherries and dark berries, with hints of dark bitter chocolate. Medium bodied but the flavours are intense and there’s an exceptional combination of vibrant fruits coupled with lovely, moreish grainy tannins.
Reviews
Vintage 2017 (soon to be released)
“A red and black fruit mix that veers between raspberry and cherry.. Palate shows succulent fruit on entry, blue fruit with woody spice. Silken threaded tannins long, on both flavour and finesse. With some time the spicier elements come to the fore, brown spiced hints of cinnamon along with freshly cracked pepper. Quite possibly the most finest expression of Australian Tempranillo I’ve had the pleasure of tasting.” Stuart Robinson, Vinsomniac
“The bouquet is intense and alluring with black and red fruits along with dark chocolate and hints of nuts. All this adds to the complexity and intense mouthfeel of this wine. Spicy tannins with delicious complex fruit flavours, balanced with clean acid leading to a long luscious finish. Enjoy now or will benefit from four plus years in the cellar.” – Stephen Read, Wine Matrix
“The wine is splendidly fruited and inviting on the nose showing dark plum, cranberry, floral and toasted nut aromas, followed by a succulent palate that is delightfully supple and silky. The wine offers lovely fruit purity together with elegant spicy complexity backed by silky tannins. Varietally expressive and highly enjoyable. At its best: now to 2024. ” – Sam Kim, Wine Orbit
Vintage 2015
“Plump, fleshy and fabulously fruited, this delectable red is filled with blackberry, dark plum, cocoa and toasted hazelnut characters. The palate is succulent and beautifully rounded, and offers excellent fruit richness and intensity, wonderfully framed by supple tannins. An instantly appealing tempranillo.” – Sam Kim, Wine Orbit
“… the most successful of the three Cato wines … also the most powerful…” – James Halliday
