First Drop Wines ‘Mother’s Ruin’ Cabernet Sauvignon
WHY WE LOVE IT
- This McLaren Vale Cabernet Sauvignon is a well-balanced tribute to the classic ‘luncheon claret.’
- The grapes are sourced from a reputable vineyard in the foothills of Blewitt Springs, which is located in the southeast of McLaren Vale, at an elevation of 150 meters above sea level, on red sandy clay loam.
- This Cabernet has been made in a soft, elegant, aromatic style.
- Drink up, but it can be cellared for 10+ years.
Varietals: 100% Cabernet Sauvignon
Elaboration: The fruit is crushed, destemmed, and fermented at 20 to 22°C for 7 days on the skins. Techniques such as aerative pump overs and drain-and-return enhance color, flavor, and tannin extraction. After fermentation, the wine is drained, pressed, and aged in 10% new French oak barriques and older oak hogsheads for malolactic fermentation. Sulfur dioxide is added after MLF, and the wine matures sur lie for 12 months.
Tasting Notes: The wine has a dark plum color. Its bouquet features delicate notes of cassis and high-toned blue fruits, with hints of eucalyptus and floral aromas. On the palate, it showcases black and blue fruits, complemented by a round mid-palate and an elegant core of tannins, and concludes with a textured finish.
PRESS
2019 – 92 James Suckling | 92 James Haliday
2020 – 90 Vinous
2022 – 90 James Suckling | 92 James Haliday
PRODUCER BACKGROUND
First Drop Wines is a modern Australian winery, founded in 2004 by John Retsas and Matt Gant in the Barossa Valley. Known as the “Home of the Brave,” the winery focuses on creating exciting and easy-to-drink wines while blending innovation with traditional techniques. They source grapes from the Barossa Valley, Adelaide Hills, Eden Valley and McLaren Vale, producing bold and characterful wines with playful labeling and a reputation for quality, earning them numerous awards.