The Master’ was sourced from the Pasquin Vineyard in Langhorne Creek, owned by Wolf’s first winemaker, John Glaetzer, and Bill Potts, one of the first growers to supply fruit to Wolf Blass back in 1967, who continues to supply exceptional quality fruit to this day. Planted specifically for Wolf Blass, Pasquin Vineyard is situated on an exceptional patch of ancient soil on the traditional flood plains along Step Road. The Cabernet Sauvignon was planted in 1994, followed by the Shiraz in 1995, with all vines on their own roots. The soil is a consistent medium clay loam, ensuring even quality across the block. Its low fertility grows vines with perfect balance, producing fruit intense in flavour, colour and tannin. The vineyard rows run east-west, allowing for even exposure to sunlight and enabling consistent ripening. Sections of the vineyard were harvested separately to allow picking at each block’s optimum maturity.
Varietal | Cabernet Shiraz |
---|---|
Vintage | 2012 |
Country | Australia |
Region | Langhorne Creek |
Volume | 750 mL |
Closure | Screw Cap |
Alc/Vol | 14.5% |
Peak Drinking | Drinking beautifully on release or will evolve gracefully over many years of careful cellaring. |
Winemaker | Wolf Blass Team |
97 Points | James Halliday |
95 Points | Huon Hooke |
"The gold-bronze screen printed bottle is massively heavy, but makes the desired statement. The Pasquin Vineyard, planted for Wolf Blass Wines in '94-95 by Wolf's first and only chief winemaker John Glaetzer and Langhorne Creek legend Bill Potts. A 61/39% blend, it spent 18 months in new and used French and American oak barrels; it is a seriously lovely wine, the sheer intensity (and harmony) of the lush black fruits giving the palate energy and life from the start to the finish. A tribute to the man and the vintage. 97 Points."
"(61% Cabernet, 39% shiraz) Deep red/purple colour. Lots of coffee and mocha aromas, toasty barrel aromas. Soft, fleshy, supple and very smooth: a lovely gentle wine with no rough edges, very accessible and delicious. It's not as big as Black Label, but still full-bodied. A really lovely wine. (14.5% alcohol). 95 Points."
Complex layers of bramble berry fruits, warm spice, mocha and mineral notes combine to create a wine of true interest and personality
Medium to full bodied with a depth of flavour yet lightness on the palate that unfolds in layers of complex dark mulberry fruits and savoury nuances with persistence and finesse. Oak is present, yet understated and supportive of the fruit. The palate is long and even with fine, tightly woven mineral-like tannins supporting exceptional flavour length.
Just one hour’s drive from South Australia’s capital, Adelaide, lies its gourmet capital (and wine Mecca), Barossa. One of the country’s most beautiful and historic wine regions, Barossa is a magnet for lovers of fine food and wine. Its classic Mediterranean climate, and free-draining red brown soils, makes the region ideal for growing grapes. Barossa produces excellent Shiraz, Cabernet, Grenache, Mourvèdre, Riesling and Semillon.
2012 in Langhorne Creek was characterised by mild summer conditions with moderate temperatures and only minor rain events. Soil moisture was retained from 2011 allowing for good canopy health. The moderate weather allowed for a long, steady ripening period, accumulating excellent colour and flavour while giving tannins the time to mature to their optimum prior to harvest.
The Wolf Blass team of winemakers share a similar working ethos – to boldly chase the pursuit of excellence, to uphold and represent Wolf Blass' proud history, and to create wine of exceptional quality.