Linnaea Vineyards Arlequin Cabernet Sauvignon 2017 (6 Bottles) Heathcote

The ‘Arlecchino’ or Harlequin was a cheeky, but loyal performer in ancient royal courts, an audience favourite and a driver of action, often with the ear of the royals to sew meaningful change.

2017 saw our Cabernet clones settling into a rhythm in the vineyard, after many years of reconditioning these vines to our demanding deficit-irrigation and low-impact farming strategies. Open canopy and near-dry-farmed, we continued to reduce and eliminate pesticide use in the transition to eco-friendly farming and native ecosystem restorations inside the vineyard.

Sourced from 2 ancient clones of Cabernet. The bulk is the Reynella clone which is alleged to have come from South Africa with the First Fleet, visiting The Rocks, Parramatta, Port Arthur, Henty and Reynella before alighting in Heathcote, with a smaller dosing of the Mt Ida clone, a local curiosity with some signs of a bit of somatic diversity in the vineyard. Two cheeky but loyal clones that perform well every year just like the Arlecchino, forging a unique and pleasing style of Cabernet.

Fermented and macerated on skins from whole berry and left to play on lees in mostly-neutral barriques for over a year. Bottled unfined, unfiltered and full of fun.”

100% Cabernet Sauvignon.