Cabernet vines dating back to 1892, the oldest in the Barossa Valley, are located at Block 42 which is alongside Old Moppa Road. Indeed, facing this gravel track are several other ancient vineyards of great importance. The area is a tad remote, and this may be that reason that these old vines have survived. Old Moppa Road fifty years ago was the main track running north up the western side of the Barossa Valley to Kapunda though these days a speedy road further east is the main thoroughfare. Alas while we tried to find Cabernet from this district the 2019 vintage was tiny and our source is further south.
The 2019 vintage was the middle of the three drought vintages of low crops. Good even great wines were made though our sources supplied less than 50% of our normal take. We value our Cabernet grapes as highly as Shiraz though recall the Barossa is a warm climate district so the Cabernets are not like those from the say the Yarra Valley or Coonawarra being voluminous and full flavoured. A Cabernet such as this will also age well for a decade. The alcohol is 15.0%.
