They planted Cabernet in the Barossa Valley long ago and one vineyard survives with plantings from 1888 to 1892. The major expansion though dates to the 1980s as customers became fixated on varieties as a means of flavour recognition and thus which wines they like. Recognition that Barossa Valley Cabernet belongs in a different category to other Cabernets, say Yarra Valley, is much more recent.
They are a return to the Orlando Cabernets of the 1960s as distinctive, world class wines like no other. This is best explained by the alcohol which is 15.3%. Australian winemakers declare all wines are 14.5% on the label unless they are from cooler regions when the number is far more accurate-being lower. Recall the alcohol declaration may vary by 1.5% from what is on the label to the actual amount. There are multiple reasons why this is allowed. Many though believe showing a higher alcohol will reduce sales as customers are now very health conscious.
As long as a wine is in balance the high alcohol means you will drink a rich wine with enormous flavour. That is what this Stockwell Creek is about.
