2018 RCV 'The Dancer' Cabernet Sauvignon

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2018 RCV 'The Dancer' Cabernet Sauvignon

Estate Vineyard |

Smyth’s 1945 Block, Watervale, Clare Valley // Average Vine Age 70 years

Rich red loam over deep limestone // Aspect E/SE // Elevation 380m

Winemaker | Justin Ardill, Owner & Winemaker since 1993

Winemaking & Viticulture

This fifth vintage release wine has been hand crafted from our viticulturalist Rob Smyth’s vineyards. These aged vines produce small yields of premium quality fruit with
concentrated flavours and balanced acidity.

Hand picked at optimal ripeness, our winemaker Justin Ardill uses traditional wine making techniques of 10 day open fermentation, cold soaking, prolonged skin contact and hand plunging before gently pressing to extract maximum colour, flavour and tannin from the berries.

Maturation in French oak hogsheads for 24 months has allowed development of smooth vanilla oak characteristics. RCV wines are limited release and are only made when the vintage is judged to be of the absolute highest quality.

Renowned South Australian artist Tom Gleghorn OAM was our artist in residence for 2010 vintage and has created this beautiful artwork for our labels which are individually numbered, adding to our collection of Gleghorn wine labels. Inspired by an Aboriginal tribal dance, Tom has called this painting ‘The Landscape Dancer’.

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This is a full-bodied wine showing layers of rich dark berry fruits with hints of dark chocolate and mint. The wine displays well integrated oak and smooth, silky mouth feel with a long lingering finish.

AWARDS & ACCOLADES

Silver Medal - Clare Valley Wine Show 2023

Bronze Medal 85pts - Clare Valley Wine Show 2022

PROVENANCE AWARDS & ACCOLADES

VINTAGE 2016

Top 5 Finalist ~ Nominated for 2019 Winestate Magazine Cabernet Sauvignon of the Year

5 STARS ~ Winestate Magazine, Best of Varietal/Style 2019

5 STARS, Equal Top in Category ~ Winestate Magazine, China Southern Airlines Cabernet & Bordeaux Challenge 2019

GOLD MEDAL ~ Clare Valley Wine Show 2020

4 STARS ~ Winestate Magazine, Best of South Australia 2020 + Clare Valley & Surrounding Regions 2020

VINTAGE 2014

BLUE-GOLD & TOP 100 WINES ~ 2019 Sydney International Wine Competition

90 PTS ~ James Suckling, www.jamessuckling.com
"A very forthright style with ripe fruit and plenty of extract. The nose offers dark, brambly fruit, ahead of a very rich, sweet palate that has a soft and ripe finish. Drink or hold."

92/100 ~ Huon Hooke, The Real Review, 9th March 2019
"Deep red colour with a tint of purple and a very oaky bouquet. Coffee, mocha, and sawn-timber notes. The wine is very full-bodied and dense, rich, concentrated, and big-boned. The tannins are assertive and grippy but not unbalanced as the flavour is also massive... It's also juicy, fruit-sweet, and lush. A very generous mouthful of red wine, which would also reward further cellaring."

Toni Paterson, The Real Review, 5th March 2019
"Fragrant red fruits with accents of cedar. The wine is showing pleasing development on the nose. The palate is quite tight and concentrated, with blackberry and dark chocolate flavours plus background nutty oak. Full-bodied, structural, and intense. Large amounts of chewy tannin"

90 POINTS ~ James Halliday Australian Wine Companion 2019

Reviewed by independent wine journalist Dan Traucki, www.facebook.com/dantraucki
"Great depth of colour, red & black berries on the bouquet along with some cherries & a hint of mint. Big, rich unctuous palate with a smidge of chocolate and some spices. DIVINE!!!!"

VINTAGE 2010

BLUE GOLD AWARD ~ 2016 Sydney International Wine Competition

92 POINTS ~ James Halliday Wine Companion 2014, Published 29/7/14
“Open-fermented, basket-pressed, and matured in French oak for 22 months. The wine has good depth of colour, and abundant
cassis fruit on the mid-palate…”

VINTAGE 2006

BLUE GOLD AWARD & TOP 100 WINES ~ 2011 Sydney International Wine Competition

92 POINTS ~ James Halliday Wine Companion 2011

TASTING NOTES

2018 | 2016 | 2014 | 2010 | 2006

(DANCER18)