The Honorary Cabernet Sauvignon

This wine showcases a deep crimson hue, wonderful fruit density and richness, and layered complexity. Christmas spice and dense rich fruit nose. A lovely lift from acid, beautifully structured, blackberry and briar with a textbook Barossa Cabernet taste. Forest floor and cigar box with an earthiness that balances the opulent fruit. Great varietal definition, approachable with the brightness to give it longevity. Dark chocolate on the nose, the wine will continue to evolve and open up in the glass. Please decant before drinking, this wine will cellar for years to come

Vintage

2019

Grape variety breakdown

The 2019 Krondorf Honorary Cabernet from the Kingship Vineyards is a testament to the resilience and quality of the Barossa Valley's winemaking heritage, delivering a wine of exceptional depth and character. Vineyard and Harvest:

Location: Kingship Vineyards, situated in a prime area of the Barossa Valley known for its exceptional terroir for Cabernet Sauvignon. Growing Conditions: The 2019 vintage experienced a dry growing season with several heatwaves, resulting in reduced yields but highly concentrated fruit. Harvest: The grapes were harvested early in the morning to retain freshness and minimize oxidation. The picking was done by hand to ensure only the highest quality clusters were selected.

Technical Details

Alcohol: 14.5% | pH: | Acidity: | Volume: 750mls

Background

Krondorf’s story is one of love, faith and hope. Those were the three values held by the Silesian settlers who established the Krondorf village in the Barossa Valley in 1847. The settlers left a lasting impression on the area’s architecture, farmlands and vineyards, and they pioneered a winemaking tradition that continues to this day. Krondorf has gone on to receive incredible recognition, including being awarded the prestigious Jimmy Watson Memorial Trophy for the 1979 Krondorf Cabernet Sauvignon at the 1980 Melbourne Wine Awards. Today, under the stewardship of experienced Head Winemaker Nick Badrice, Krondorf has experienced a revival, crafting bold, fruit-forward wines that captured acclaim and accolades.

The 2019 vintage in the Barossa Valley was challenging due to dry and hot conditions, but it yielded high-quality, concentrated wines with excellent ageing potential. The lower yields and intense fruit flavours made it a memorable vintage for both winemakers and wine enthusiasts.

Dry Conditions: The 2019 growing season was one of the driest on record in the Barossa Valley. The lack of significant rainfall put stress on the vines, leading to lower yields but often more concentrated and intense fruit flavours.

Heatwaves: The region experienced several heatwaves, particularly in January, with temperatures reaching extreme highs. These conditions accelerated the ripening process and required careful vineyard management to avoid heat stress and dehydration in the grapes. Early Harvest: The combination of dry conditions and heat resulted in an earlier-than-usual harvest. Winemakers had to carefully monitor ripening to pick the grapes at the optimal time to maintain acidity and freshness. Yields: Overall grape yields were lower than average due to the challenging growing conditions. The reduced yields often translated into more concentrated fruit, leading to wines with intense flavours and good structure. Quality: Despite the challenges, the quality of the 2019 vintage was high. The grapes harvested were small, with thick skins, resulting in wines with deep colour, robust tannins, and concentrated flavours. The red wines, in particular, showed excellent potential for ageing due to their structure and intensity. Varietal Performance: Traditional Barossa varietals like Cabernet, Shiraz and Grenache performed well in 2019, producing wines with rich, ripe fruit flavours and good complexity. White varietals also fared well, retaining acidity despite the heat, which contributed to their freshness and balance.