Unwrapped: Hollick Old Vines Cabernet Sauvignon 2022

Coonawarra's unique terra rossa soil - that distinctive red earth - creates wines with an unmistakable dusty, earthy character that sets them apart from other Australian regions. This limestone-based soil provides excellent drainage while retaining enough moisture for the vines, resulting in concentrated flavours and elegant structure. The cool climate allows for slow ripening, developing complex flavours while maintaining natural acidity that gives the wine its renowned longevity.

Old vines naturally produce smaller yields, concentrating all their energy into fewer bunches of grapes, which translates to more intense flavours and complexity in the finished wine. These mature root systems dig deeper into Coonawarra's terra rossa soil, accessing mineral-rich layers that younger vines cannot reach. The result is a wine with greater depth, more nuanced fruit expression, and the kind of structural integrity that allows it to age gracefully for decades.

This rich, full-bodied Cabernet with its mocha and plum notes pairs beautifully with red meat dishes, particularly grilled or roasted lamb with rosemary, or a perfectly cooked ribeye steak. The wine's fine tannins and French oak influence make it an excellent match for aged cheeses like vintage cheddar or blue cheese. For something different, try it with dark chocolate desserts - the wine's chocolate notes will create a harmonious flavour bridge.

French oak provides a more subtle, refined influence compared to American oak, contributing that signature cedary backbone without overwhelming the fruit character. The tight grain of French oak allows for slower extraction of tannins and flavours, creating complexity rather than dominance. This oak treatment enhances the wine's natural structure while adding layers of spice and vanilla that complement Cabernet's blackcurrant and plum flavours, resulting in a more elegant and age-worthy wine.

A 95-point rating from Wine Orbit indicates this is an exceptional wine that represents outstanding quality and value in its category. Wine Orbit is known for their rigorous tasting methodology and focus on wines that offer genuine quality at their price point. This score suggests the wine demonstrates excellent varietal character, regional typicity, and the kind of balance and complexity that makes it stand out among its peers, making it a smart choice for both immediate enjoyment and cellaring.