Schild Estate Lorraine Schild Cabernet Sauvignon 2020

These days, it seems every winery has tribute wines to anyone who has ever worked at the winery, family dogs and goldfish, people who have simply walked past the front door, so it is always nice to see a tribute to someone deserving. Schild Estate is a highly respected Barossa producer and Lorraine Schild is the family matriarch. The Three Springs Vineyard is the site of the family’s original estate. At 380 metres above sea level, this is a much cooler site than many in the region, providing lower yields and quality fruit, though the harvest was not assisted by 2020 being such a low-yielding vintage. ‘Traditional open top fermenters’ are used, after a pre-fermentation cold soak. Gentle pumpovers are employed. Post fermentation maceration also follows, before pressing to barrel. Free run juice and pressings are separated at this stage – reunited later. The oak is a mix of new and older French barrels and the wine spends between 18 and 24 months in them. 

The colour is dark maroon. Plush, ripe, intense and yet balanced, the aromas move through chocolate, cassis, blackberries, plums and coffee grinds. There is good but non-intrusive oak integration. Excellent length, through to cushiony tannins and just bouncing with flavour. A cracking Barossa Cab, well structured, with a decade ahead. Lorraine must be very happy.