Yalumba Distinguished Sites The Cigar

Yalumba The Cigar Cabernet Sauvignon bottle image

Wine Description

The Cigar; a name coined by Coonawarra Vignerons to describe the unique cigar-shaped strip of rich red terra rossa soil. Home to some of Australia’s most famous vineyards, the secret of Coonawarra lies in the intimate bond between the terra rossa soil, limestone layers, pure artisan water and a long cool ripening season. Fortunate to be part of this iconic place, Yalumba salutes the region’s pioneers and those privileged to inherit its future.

Yalumba Clocktower
Yalumba Cooperage
Yalumba Vineyard
Yalumba Barrel Room
Yalumba Museum
Robert and Jess Hill-Smith
Winemaker, Louisa Rose
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Acclaim
"Menzies is the name of Yalumba's Coonawarra estate, which is almost entirely devoted to Cabernet Sauvignon. Like most of the Yalumba wines, the oak levels have been pared back in recent vintages, allowing this wine's cassis fruit to to shine. Hints of tobacco, bay leaf and sage bring complexity, while the tannins are fine, adding a softly dusty feel to the long finish." (Editor's Choice)
— Wine Enthusiast, Feb 2017
"The bright crimson-purple hue and fragrant bouquet are not false prophets: this has very good varietal character, with blackcurrant, black olive, earth and bay leaf all contributing to the elegant, well balanced palate."
— James Halliday, Oct 2016
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Vineyard & Production Info
Vineyard name
The Menzies Vineyard
Soil composition
Terra Rossa and limestone
Elevation:
150 feet
Average Vine Age:
20 years
Certifying Organizations:
ISO14001; Entwine Australia
Sustainability Certification:
EPA Acredited Sustainability Licence
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Winemaking & Aging
Varietal composition:
100% Cabernet Sauvignon
Fermentation container:
Stainless steel tanks
Malolactic fermentation:
Yes
Fining agent:
Vegan
Type of aging container:
Barriques and Hogsheads
Type of oak:
French, Hungarian, American
Length of aging before bottling:
20 months
Age of Aging Container:
18 months
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Analytical Data
pH level:
3.5
Acidity:
6.4 g/L
Alcohol:
14.5 %
Residual sugar:
0.7 g/L
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Wine Production

The grapes for The Cigar are crushed to small static fermenters, and as the fermentation commences, the temperature is allowed to peak early at 30°C, then given more control at around 20°C. This ensures good extraction of colour and tannin. The grapes stay on skins for around seven days, with some tanks given extended skin contact before pressing. Matured for 18 months in new French oak barriques, French and Hungarian oak hogsheads (26%), one year old French oak barriques and Hungarian oak hogsheads (10%), balance in older French and American hogsheads and barriques.

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About the Vineyard

2013 was an excellent vintage; it was preceded by good rains filling the soils over the winter months and mild conditions during spring flowering giving it a good even set of berries. The warm conditions continued through harvest allowing the winemakers to pick ripe grapes at ideal colour, flavour and tannin.