2008 Balnaves of Coonawarra The Tally Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon 750ml

Overview

The 2008 Balnaves of Coonawarra The Tally Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon is a powerful, cellar-built expression of Coonawarra Cabernet from one of the region's benchmark producers. Rich, structured and deeply flavoured, it reflects a warm, early vintage that delivered ripe tannins and excellent concentration.

The name "The Tally" pays tribute to Doug Balnaves' background as a Merino sheep shearer, where a shearer's tally recorded skill, endurance and hard work. For the Balnaves family, The Tally represents the ultimate achievement of the estate.

Vintage & Winemaking

The 2008 vintage was warm and early, producing rich wines with ripe tannins. Fruit was sourced from the Dead Morris Vineyard, Quarry Block and Dunstan Vineyard, with 76% of the blend receiving extended maceration on skins.

The wine was matured for 16 months in new fine-grained French oak barrels from Seguin Moreau and Sylvain cooperages, then lightly egg fined before bottling in December 2009.

Product Highlights

• Flagship Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon from Balnaves of Coonawarra.
• 97 points from James Halliday.
• Sourced from Dead Morris Vineyard, Quarry Block and Dunstan Vineyard.
• 76% of the blend received long maceration on skins.
• Matured for 16 months in new fine-grained French oak.
• Warm, early vintage with rich fruit and ripe tannins.
• Classic mature Coonawarra Cabernet with collector appeal.

Critic Scores & Reviews

• 97 points - James Halliday: "Vivid crimson-purple... a dazzling array of flavours..."

Tasting Notes

Deep rich red in colour. The nose is perfumed with ripe dark blackberry and cassis fruit, supported by French oak, leather and spice. The palate is tight and compact, with dark fruit, fine-grained leathery tannins, supple texture and excellent balance. Decant before drinking.

Food Pairing

Pair with roast beef, lamb shoulder, venison, ribeye, slow-braised short ribs or aged hard cheeses.

Cellaring Potential

This is a mature, structured Coonawarra Cabernet made for long-term cellaring. It can be enjoyed now, ideally decanted before serving.

About Balnaves of Coonawarra

Balnaves of Coonawarra is a respected family-owned producer from South Australia's Coonawarra region, best known for Cabernet Sauvignon grown on the area's famed terra rossa soils. The Tally is the estate's flagship Cabernet, produced from top vineyard parcels and recognised as one of the region's benchmark reds.

Specifications

• Producer: Balnaves of Coonawarra
• Wine: The Tally Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon
• Vintage: 2008
• Region: Coonawarra, South Australia
• Country: Australia
• Grape Variety: Cabernet Sauvignon
• Vineyards: Dead Morris Vineyard, Quarry Block, Dunstan Vineyard
• Oak: New fine-grained French oak
• Ageing: 16 months
• Wine Style: Red Wine
• Bottle Size: 750ml