Balnaves, Coonawarra Cabernet Sauvignon
Vintage: 2020
| Vintage | Product Code | Format | Closure | Availability |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2020 | BA101B20 | 6 x 75 | Screwcap | Available |
Producer
The Balnaves family vineyard is at the southern end of the famous Coonawarra Terra Rossa strip, where the ‘terra rossa’ soils are rich in red clay and silt. Planted in 1975, the vineyard is now 58 hectares in size (70% of which is planted with Cabernet Sauvignon) and has been in the family for three generations. Today, Doug Balnaves, together with his son Pete and daughter Kirsty, runs the Balnaves vineyard while managing another 300 hectares for other growers in the heart of Coonawarra.
Balnaves’ fruit has always been excellent, yet they didn’t make their own wines until 1995 when they hired Pete Bissell (ex-Wynns) as their winemaker. Pete retired in June 2020, though he still works with Balnaves as a consultant alongside winemaker Maddie LeMire, who joined the team in 2025. The Balnaves’ vineyard is divided into small blocks, between one and two hectares in size, which are managed separately according to the specific needs of each area. This gives numerous blending components, resulting in layered and complex wines.
The Cabernet Sauvignon/Merlot skilfully blends ripe black fruit with toasty oak, while the Cabernet Sauvignon, intense and poised, illustrates beautifully the balance obtained in these wines. The ‘Tally’ (a reference to the number of sheep you could shear in a day) is their top wine and is consistently rated as one of Australia’s best Cabernet Sauvignons.
Vineyards
The Balnaves Coonawarra Vineyard was established in 1975, and is situated at the southern end of the Coonawarra Terra Rossa strip. The family, which has been associated with the district since 1855, remains fully committed to a high level of ‘hands-on’ involvement. The grapes for this wine come from a mix of the Dead Morris (89%) and Walker vineyards.
Vintage
The season started late, and frosts caused some concern, resulting in irrigation early in the season. Cool and humid weather in the spring disrupted flowering, particularly affecting the Cabernet Sauvignon yields. Several days above 40℃ in late December sped up ripening and cooler temperatures near harvest extended this ripening period. As a result, the red grapes developed thicker skins, and yields were moderate, resulting in small quantities of vibrant, intensely flavoured wines with fine tannic structure. Though the 2020 growing season was plagued by wildfires, the Balnaves vineyards escaped unscathed, resulting in no influence of smoke taint.
Vinification
Only the best Cabernet Sauvignon grapes were selected to make this wine. They were then co-fermented with 11% Petit Verdot, with an extended maceration on skins, prior to maturing for 13 months in 54% new French oak. The wine was bottled in October 2021.
Tasting Notes & Technical Details
A vibrant hue and lifted violet perfume lead to an intense palate of mulberry fruit. Subtle, smoky French oak balances the plush fruit, while complex, chewy tannins provide structure.
Alcohol (ABV)
14.5%
Acidity
6.1 g/l
pH
3.41
Other wines from this producer
Producer | Wine | Product Code | Features | Style | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Balnaves | Coonawarra Cabernet/Merlot | BA102 | R | Factsheet | |
| `The Tally` Reserve Coonawarra Cabernet Sauvignon | BA106 | R | Factsheet |