Vinomofo 2011 Cab Sauv $99 Delivered (- $25 Referral/New) - Mitolo Jester $20.89 at Dirty Dans

TLDR= cab sauv, name brand, fancy method of making (20% dried fruit), cheap.

STYLE
Bright, lifted and a touch lighter than previous versions, the 2011 Jester Cabernet is a true reflection
of a cooler vintage in McLaren Vale. We use the ancient Italian technique of air drying 20% grapes
for 6 weeks. This process concentrates the flavour and adds a lovely fine grain tannin structure. Jester
Cabernet is upfront and approachable for early appreciation, delivering excellent quality for the price.

VINEYARD
Our Jester Cabernet vineyards are located at the southern end of McLaren Vale, close to the town of
Willunga. The soil here is mostly black Biscay clay and sits above ancient Gnaltinga formation bedrock.
This clay topsoil holds water in winter and spring leading to strong growth. In summer it becomes very
dry, so dry it cracks up stressing the vines which leads to intense flavour. A combination of cool sea
breezes and gully winds help to temper the warm summer days giving ideal conditions for growing fruit
of intensity and balance.

2011 VINTAGE
The 2011 vintage in McLaren Vale was much cooler than the average year. Summer was mild and quite
wet which resulted in delayed fruit ripening. The cool, wet conditions led to unusually high disease
pressure in the whole region. In the Mitolo Lopresti vineyards, sound canopy management including
shoot thinning early in the season and bunch thinning at veraison, allowed for better air flow reducing
the threat of disease. Cabernet fared well in the trying conditions, its naturally thick skins further
protecting the fruit from disease and allowing it to ripen fully to produce outstanding wine.

WINEMAKING
Approximately 20% of the grapes used in the 2011 Jester Cabernet are dried for 6 weeks prior to
fermentation. The drying process concentrates the flavour and provides a fine tannin structure to
the wine. This technique is borrowed from the Valpolicella region of north eastern Italy where it is
used to make Amarone wine. The remaining grapes are fermented on skins for 6 – 10 days, at cool
temperatures, to enhance pure berry fruit. The wine is stored in old oak barrels, mainly French, for 18
months before the blend is assembled and the wine bottled with minimal fining or filtration.

dirty dans link - $20.89 a bottle (2012):
https://www.danmurphys.com.au/product/DM_780594/mitolo-jeste…

proof:
http://www.mitolowines.com.au/product/Jester-Cabernet-Sauvig…
http://www.mitolowines.com.au/assets/client/File/2011%20Jest…