2023 cabernøt.
MØRE FRØM WHERE THE ØTHER ØNE CAME FRØM…
Yep. Still Cabernet Sauvignon. Still not as you know it. Still being offered to you via this inane messaging (sørry, nøt sørry).
So 2023 came from all the same dirt, all the same vines, all the same (incredibly ancient - like, Rob, how are they still working?!) tractors, all the same (also getting pretty ancient tbh) hands, just a season of (totally) different days.
Tracey’s hands say the season was nuts, from super-wet to super-hot, with long ripening at the end giving the fruit time to really establish its voice.
We all reckon We Know Nothing*, but feel we can taste that slow-bake structure. Like the proper, real bronzing you get from a long summer holiday, as opposed to slapping on paper underwear for a quick orange spray in a robot booth at 4 in the morning. You’re welcome for that mental picture you now can’t unsee.
Anyway, if you loved our inaugural ‘21 cabernøt, we trust, hope, believe in a totally non-legally-liable way that you’ll find plenty love about this one too.
‘23 is a cab with surprisingly modern, bright, fresh and zesty notes, bringing a deep berry fruit experience with a smooth, lingering finish.
Our ‘23 baby brings great structure and holds back on the tannins, having taken its time free-ranging even longer on the vine that Summer.
All in all, we think you’ll find this is an expressive and energetic, friend-of-a-wine through which to enjoy all of life’s moments - the up ups, the down downs, the momentous and the Mondays.
We’re enjoying getting to know ‘23 at our tables - think cosy stuff out of the slow-cooker, anything incinerated in any way outside over naked flames by men, or Ish’s pizzas, the ones finished with balsamic glaze. Or, no judgment, alone in a cupboard, binging Kaos on Netflix (so good).
Grown on the pristine slopes of Ironbank in South Australia’s cool climate Adelaide Hills wine regions, Irønbank Cabernøt reinvents quality Cabernet, rediscovering an iconic varietal for a new era. Be brave, dig in, enjoy xøxø
*extra points for you if you got that reference.
HANG ON, WHAT ARE THOSE SCRIBBLY NUMBERS ON THE BOTTLE ABOUT?
YES IT'S KIND OF MAD, BUT BECAUSE WE LOVE YOU, WE NUMBER EVERY SINGLE BOTTLE OF OUR TINY BUT PERFECTLY FORMED VINTAGES, UNIQUELY... YOU WHAT? HOW? WHY???
YES IT'S KIND OF MAD, BUT BECAUSE WE LOVE YOU, WE NUMBER EVERY SINGLE BOTTLE OF OUR TINY BUT PERFECTLY FORMED VINTAGES, UNIQUELY... YOU WHAT? HOW? WHY???
TASTING NOTES
2023 ADELAIDE HILLS
CABERNØT
CABERNET SAUVIGNON | IRONBANK | SOUTH AUSTRALIA
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This wine presents a nose of complex eucalypt, cranberry and capsicum.
The palate is rich and round, translating its structured cabernet origins by softening its tannins through complex herb notes and the acid structure is tight.
A classic Hills cabernet vineyard brings a vintage with eucalypt and tomato leaf on the nose that develops into a red capsicum and green tomato palate with a smooth and persistent finish.
Enjoy now, or carefully cellar.
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NOSE | Complex eucalypt, cranberry, capsicum
PALATE | Rich, round, clear cabernet line, complex herb notes, softened tannins. Red capsicum, tomato leaf. Tight acid structure. Smooth tannin finish.
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A schizophrenic season that started soggy and unusually late.
Eventually, challenging wet weather gave way to favourably warm and dry months October through March. There was absolutely no rainfall from November on, creating ideal conditions for fruit set and ripening. Support for the vines through prudent irrigation was crucial.
The fruit took its time - harvest was the latest ever, a whole month behind any previous, even though Climate Change is obviously not real.
Best news of all? The fruit was entirely unharmed by the inclusion of Ish in the crew of F&F inveigled into helping with harvest. Proof of concept… tick!
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The 5 hectares of north-facing slopes at Ironbank in the Adelaide hills are surrounded by mature bushland of stringybark and cup gums.
At altitudes of around 410m at the highest points, and catching fresh gully breezes, Ironbank’s cool climate conditions are ideal for grape production.
The Irønbank vines were planted into shallow top soil and a base of clay in the early 90’s.
Single cordon, terraced, and spur pruned annually by hand, these family-owned vines are a part of daily family life at Irønbank, carefully and constantly curated for quality at every stage of every season.
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The vineyard is overlooked by Robin & Tracey’s architectural eco-residence, a strong and thoughtful architectural building of timbers and glass. In keeping with the overarching philosophy of the property, the residence operates offgrid for water and generates its own electricity, and has been built to passive-solar standards featuring repurposed materials salvaged around the site. It enjoying expansive views across the vines and adjacent forest, fields and truffle orchard.
The Irønbank team’s wine-making philosophy and approach is light on intervention whilst consistent on touch. All practicable work is by hand, cane prunings are remulched to build organic matter in soil.
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HARVESTED | 1-5-24
PROCESSED | 2/5/23 - 8 days on skins, pressed off, allowed to settle for 5 days, then sent to a blend of French & American oak barrels for 2 months of malolactic fermentation. 14 months in oak, lightly fined before rack & despatch.
QUANTITY | 3,260 750ml bottles
VINEYARD | Single vineyard, Ironbank, Adelaide Hills, South Australia
CELLAR | Will reward careful cellaring
ALCOHOL | 13.4%
REVIEWS
Here’s what you had to say about our ‘21 - thank you!
We’re so looking forward to hearing what you’ll have on the ‘23…
“Very nice nose”
“Your wine is delicious mate - but too easy to drink! Well done!”
“Congrat- u Farrking- lations… it is just stunning, smooth for a baby with this phenomenal depth of flavour and you didn’t miss in the alcohol content either! ”
“Congrat- u Farrking- lations… it is just stunning, smooth for a baby with this phenomenal depth of flavour and you didn’t miss in the alcohol content either! ”
“fuckin good wine lol”
“It shows what cabernet can be with a cooler Hills environment, judging from the acidity, a longer ripening period.
Congratulations on your first vintage”
“delicious ! 🖤🖤”
“It’s smooth and very easy to drink. Lovely on the nose and subtle enough to go with ceviche and light seafoods. Lovely. ”
“this is truly lovely wine ”
“Great palate structure and mouthfeel… nicely ripe fruit… ”
““It’s a very approachable, easy drinking medium red that you can drink with or without food. I imagine you could pop this on ice in summer to drink in the sun or just as happily by the fire.”
“It’s official - my wife likes the vino!”
2023 is a cab with surprisingly modern, bright, fresh and zesty notes, bringing a deep berry fruit experience with a smooth, lingering finish.
This baby brings great structure and holds back on the tannins, having taken its time free-ranging even longer on the vine that Summer. Enjøy!
$252/HALF-DOZEN CASE ($42/bottle), less discount code if applicable (apply in checkout)
$504/FULL-DOZEN CASE (42/bottle), less discount code if applicable (apply in checkout)
Delivery to metropolitan capital city locations within Australia by Australia Post will be calculated at checkout, or a free pickup/personal delivery option may be preferred. For shipments outside of metro cap cities, or outside of Australia, please email us for a shipping arrangement.
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