Among his many pursuits, Doug Balnaves was a shearer of Merino sheep. A shearer in Australia, is paid by the number of sheep he shears. Counted every two-hour period, the Tally is recorded in the Tally book. The higher the Tally, the greater the recognition among his peers for skill and hard work. As an expression of this tradition, the Balnaves family see the wine ‘THE TALLY’ as the ultimate achievement for their company. 2021 was an outstanding vintage, with long and even ripening period ideal for Cabernet Sauvignon. On the 12th of April, Cabernet Sauvignon from out Dead Morris vineyard (91%) was hand-picked and co-fermented with 9% Petit Verdot, with an extended maceration on skins for 30 days. The wine was then matured for 13 months in 39% new fine grain Taransaud French oak barriques. Intense aromas of cassis, blackberries and blueberries carry through onto the palate, this dense dark fruit integrates with velvet tannins and smoky coffee oak. A complex and layered wine with great length, 2021 was a superb vintage reminiscent of 2004 and 2001. –Balnaves
