Fraser Gallop Parterre Cabernet Sauvignon 2022

Cabernet Sauvignon from Fraser Gallop's estate vineyard at Wilyabrup in Margaret River, blended Bordeaux-fashion with small parcels of Malbec, Petit Verdot, Cabernet Franc and Merlot. Dark fruits on the nose lift with bay leaf and a distinct oyster-shell character; the palate is medium-bodied with fine, sinewy, minerally tannins and integrated oak. Ray Jordan rated the 2022 at 95 points with cellaring potential of a dozen years.

The vineyard sits 20 kilometres north of Margaret River town and six from the coast, on gravelly laterite loam over clay. Nigel Gallop planted it in 1999 and never irrigated. The vines had to send roots a metre down into the clay for water, so the first commercial crop took seven years. The reward is small berries, concentrated flavour and a slate-like mineral feel.

Cabernet takes the north-facing slopes, 17 acres of Houghton clone, with the other Bordeaux grapes planted beside it. Ellin Tritt has made the wines since 2017 and Mike Bolas runs the vineyard. Parterre is the flagship label, the one the estate builds for the cellar.

The blend is Cabernet with about five percent each of Malbec and Petit Verdot, plus dashes of Cabernet Franc and Merlot. It sits at 13.5 percent alcohol under screw cap. Drink it over the next twelve years.