Lethbridge La Gauche 2021

Lethbridge La Gauche is a Cabernet Sauvignon-led Geelong red in the mould of a left-bank Bordeaux.

Two wines make up the pair: this one leans left, and Le Droit leans right. Cabernet Sauvignon takes 68 per cent, with Merlot at 18 and Cabernet Franc at 14. Both Cabernet parcels come off Tim Harrop's vineyard, planted during the 1990s some three kilometres from the estate in the Moorabool Valley, sitting on the river flats where old vines root into rocky basalt-derived soils littered with quartz. It is cool and low-yielding, which is what Ray Nadeson and Maree Collis look for. The Merlot grows on basalt over limestone at the home vineyard. Each batch was destemmed and fermented separately, then matured eighteen months in fine-grained new and one-year-old French oak.

Cassis, graphite and cedar, with leafy Cabernet Franc lift and a tannin structure that is firm and fine. It will reward five to ten years. Serve at 17 degrees, decanted. Good with roast lamb, steak frites or a mature cheddar.

*Every effort is made to ensure the current vintage is accurate; however, variations can occur. If you are after a specific vintage, please contact us prior to ordering.