Situated at the southern end
of Coonawarra, Parker Coonawarra Estate was established
in 1985 on the rich Terra Rossa soil on the limestone
of Coonawarra and carries Cabernet Sauvignon as
the predominant variety with minor plantings of
Cabernet Franc and Merlot. Each vintage, only the
finest fruit from plantings in the Terra Rossa soil,
is painstakingly selected to be made into Terra
Rossa First Growth.
Such is the dedication, that
if in any one year the grapes do not reach the high
standards set, the Terra Rossa First Growth will
not be made. This was the case in 1992 and 1995.
Terra
Rossa Cabernet Sauvignon 2002 Deep crimson red in colour, with
some purple highlights. The nose is extremely complex
with cool vintage fruit characters of black olive,
prune and seaweed notes, combined with sweet earth
and truffle notes. Matured for 20 months in largely,
new Dargaud and Jaeglé “les Bertranges”
French oak, the oak is beautifully integrated at such
an early stage. The palate is sweet and dense with
a super fleshy mouth feel and dense dark fruit flavours
of cedar, prune, cassis, liquorice. The finish is
very long with a firm tannin finish. The balance and
depth of fruit in this wine, make it one of the very
best Parker Terra Rossa Cabernet Sauvignons released
to date.
-
94 points: Robert Parker
Terra
Rossa Cabernet Sauvignon 2001 The wine is forward and quite
intense. Powerful fruit characters marry wonderfully
with oak aromas. The palate is full bodied with the
strength of the fruit dominating; the balance of the
wine completed by a good acid finish and fine grained
tannins. The flavours cover a range from ripe blackcurrant
berries through to chocolate, suggesting any accompanying
foods should be as equally flavoursome.
- 94 points: Robert Parker
- 88 points: Wine Spectator
- 16.7/20 point: Jeremy Oliver
- Bronze Medal, New World Cabernet Sauvignon Category,
Lianhe Zaobao: The Wine Review 6th Annual Challenge
2004
Terra
Rossa Merlot 2001 Very good purple-red;
the clean and powerful bouquet features cassis/red
berry fruit, the intense palate opening with continued
promise, but closing with a ragged, acid finish.
-
90 points: James Halliday
Terra
Rossa First Growth 2001 Rich and complex on the nose
with mocha, coffee, blackberries, dark creamy cassis
aromas intermingled with earthy, tobacco and cedar
characters. Tight and restrained, at this stage. Great
colour, dense crimson with purple tinges. The palate
is full and round with sweet soft tannins and complex
black fruit and coffee flavours. Beautifully balanced
with a full ripe mid-palate and a soft tannin finish.
- 92 points: Robert Parker -
90 points: Wine Spectator
