Domaine A now under the custodianship of the team at Moorilla, but this vintage would have been heavily influenced by Peter Althaus. A “Bordeaux” blend made of 63% Cabernet Sauvignon, 29% Merlot, 5% Cabernet Franc and 3% Petit Verdot. 2 years maturation in seasoned oak before bottling and resting until ready.

Note, bottle image is of 2016 and the 2017 is now under screwcap.

Domaine A, Petit ‘a’, Coal Valley, 2017

Plenty going on the more air it gets: Complex and layered: Sweating capsicum, cassis, bramble, cigar ash, tomato leaf, malt wafer, coffee grounds, dust, violets, onion skin*, raspberry and black tea.  Intense and brooding. Medium full palate: Dark with umami nori and stock, cassis, bitter coffee and wide, gripping tannins. Regional lean-ness and acid thrust. Under cork the Domaine A wines always took time to open up and bloom. Now with a shift to some of them being bottled under screwcap, that pent up tension will need a little extra time to release, make sure to give it plenty of air if you choose to open this in the next ten years.

RRP: $52
Alc: 14.5%
Rating: 18.25/20 (93/100)

Wine sample courtesy of Domaine A and Moorilla

*While clinically this may be classed as a fault due to the aroma coming from a compound called ethyl mercaptan/ethanethiol (part of a group called “Unwanted Sulfhydryls”), I’m going to let it slide as it is part of the character of the wine.