Hundred Acre Wraith

2019 Wraith er endnu en kæmpe Cabernet Sauvignon lavet på fuldstændig ekstremt kompromiløst farmede druer fra de tre vinmarker Ark, Few and Far Between og Morgan's Way.

Dyrkning og vinificering

Intet er med andre ord overladt til tilfældighederne i disse marker, hvor Jayson Woodbridge tager perfektionen til højder, når han med biodynamisk og permakulturel inspiration kredser om hver enkelt vinstok som var den en mark i sig selv.

Tilgangen går igen det pinligt rene og sterile vinhus, hvor vinen efter gæring på den vilde gær og forlænget maceration lagres 40 måneder på franske egetræsfade. På intet tidspunkt omrøres vinen. Den omstikkes heller ikke, og den fjernes først fra bundfaldet til allersidst inden aftapning. Dermed bevarer den en indre energi og en næsten evig ungdom, som med tiden er blevet afslebet, uddybet og perfektioneret, mens dens gåpåmod og livsglæde er uforandret.

Aroma og smag

I næsen byder den færdige vin dermed på en overvældende, afgrundsdyb frugt-, jord- og fadkarakter i form af fuldstændig perfekte kirsebær og tranebær, der harmonisk suppleres af dybe jordagtige og mokkanoter. Vinen har en altomsluttende fylde tilsat en muskuløs karakter og derudover en luksuriøs, fløjlsblød tekstur, der til sammen manifesterer sig i en næsten uendelig, livlig og uovertruffent kompleks afslutning, hvor nye erkendelser lurer bag hver eneste tår.

Der er endda en let syrlighed, der giver vinen en ekstra og forbavsende dimension af friskhed trods dens potente figur - så smukt kan det altså gøres!

Anmeldelse og point

100 point - Decanter, september 2023

"Jayson Woodbridge describes Wraith as his perfect snapshot of the vintage, defined by this blend of all three of his estate single vineyards – Ark, Few and Far Between, and Morgan’s Way (formerly Kayli Morgan). I was able to taste this wine over three days, and it further cemented my impression that Woodbridge’s wines are profoundly structured and balanced and while they offer serious upfront pleasure, they will deliver rewarding complexities with long-term cellaring. Highly recommend decanting the young wines. Upon the first lift of the cork, a heady hit of resin, sap, cedar, and graham cracker crust only hints at what is lurking beneath as mineral nuances shortly emerge. At 15.5% alcohol, it harbours impressive balance. Compact and perfectly knit together, there are no gaps, no edges, and the firm, taut sleek tannin prolife is so perfectly integrated as to be weightless. After half an hour, red-toned fruits with intimations of black become more defined, as pure black cherry, with a crunchy outer skin and a juicy, succulent, flesh core. With more time, the wine becomes beautifully perfumed and elegant, offering hints of chocolate. The sweetness of the fruit is tempting and hovers at the surface, intimating more depth. A day later, the wine is still exceptionally fragrant, with mulled spices emerging, building with intensity layered by black and blue fruit and no sense of imbalance. Still perfectly knit and generous. It begins to drink like a rich Pinot Noir with its gorgeous cedar sappy tannins and even conifer notes. On the third day of tasting, the wine is holding on like a heavyweight champ. It has begun to offer rich, warm earthen humus notes and a real sense of volcanic terroir. It is still broad and expansive with a density of flavour and complexity but manages to remain balletic and almost weightless. Such an impressive feat for a wine that is truly otherworldly. Aged for 40 months in French oak barriques."

98 point - Robert Parker's Wine Advocate, Maj 2023

"The 2019 Cabernet Sauvignon Wraith is a subtle amalgam of the three single-vineyard wines, showcasing a faint herbal streak, mixed cherries and cassis fruit, with deep undercurrents of loamy earth and cigar box shadings. Full-bodied, plush and creamy-textured, it finishes long and velvety. Just luscious stuff—good luck keeping your hands off it!"