McWilliams have long expressed an affinity for the unique red earth soils which consistently yield the big boned, statuesque style of Australian red wine.
Plant a six inch nail, water it and in a year you will have a crowbar! said John James McWilliam when he surveyed the ferrous red soils of Hanwood in 1913. Today, McWilliams own and operate many of the most salubrious
terra rosa sites in Coonawarra, retaining the pick of the crop, for a pure Cabernet wine from the prestigious Laira Vineyard.
The rich red soils and moderate maritime climes of Coonawarra enthuse the vines into a complete ripening fruit, for wines which are characterized by rich intense flavours, sound structure and long lived tannins. Cabernet Sauvignon is picked throughout the early hours of morning for the retention of intense aromatics and rich varietal flavours. Grapes are crushed and then fermented for up to ten days, before being pressed off into a selection of new and seasoned oak barrels for completion of malolactic. Ten months maturation is followed by a rigorous barrel selection to assemble a final wine of fine tannin structure, aromatic complexity and long silky finish.
TASTING NOTESVibrant bright crimson red with deep purple hues. Lifted perfumed nose of blackcurrant and mulberries, followed up by a lingering spice chocolate oak notes. Rich blackcurrant, blackberry fruit flavours are upfront, seasoned by hints of nutmeg oak. Firm but pliant tannins provide the classical Coonawarra framework, Brands Laira finishes on a length of lingering chocolate oak characters, velvety tannins and a measure of elegance.