Noon Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon 2021

Noon Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon 2021

 

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Noon
Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon 2021
  • Vintage : 2021
  • Country : Australia
  • Region : McLaren Vale
  • Subregion :
  • Type : Red
  • Style : Deep Full Bodied
  • Format : 75cl
  • Alcohol : 15,1°
  • Grappes : 100% Cabernet Sauvignon

A commanding yet polished Cabernet that reflects Noon’s artisan mastery and the expressive power of Langhorne Creek fruit.

Region and Vineyards

The Noon Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon 2021 originates from Langhorne Creek, one of South Australia’s most historically significant and underrated wine regions. Though often overshadowed by its neighbours, Langhorne Creek is revered for its ability to produce concentrated, balanced reds thanks to its unique terroir and maritime-influenced climate. Afternoon breezes from Lake Alexandrina moderate ripening temperatures, allowing Cabernet Sauvignon to develop ripe tannins and flavour complexity while maintaining vital acidity.

This wine is sourced from the Fruit Trees Block and Main Road Block of the Borrett family’s vineyard, where vines range from 30 to 50 years of age. These dry-farmed parcels are rooted in deep alluvial gravel and loam soils, interspersed with yellow clay. This mix ensures both drainage and water retention, supporting vine resilience in warmer years and preserving elegance in the wines. Managed without herbicides or pesticides, the vineyard reflects a commitment to sustainable and respectful viticulture.

Winemaking

The grapes were hand-harvested at optimal ripeness following a growing season that offered both quality and yield after two smaller harvests. Fermentation occurred in 35-hectolitre open-top French oak vats using native yeasts, followed by a skin contact period of 15 to 20 days, during which manual hand-plunging was employed for gentle yet effective extraction.

After fermentation, the wine was pressed in traditional basket presses, a low-intervention method that protects tannin integrity and enhances mouthfeel. Aging took place over 18 months in French barriques (225 L), with approximately 20% new oak, allowing for integration of subtle oak spice without overpowering the fruit. The wine was bottled unfined and unfiltered, in keeping with the estate’s minimal-intervention philosophy. The final composition features 15.1% alcohol, 5.9 g/L total acidity, and a pH of 3.81, indicating richness with a lifted finish.

Tasting Notes

  • Color: Deep ruby with purple reflections and a vibrant rim.
  • Aroma: Classic varietal expression with aromas of cassis, black cherry, and crushed herbs, underpinned by notes of cedar, graphite, and a touch of violet.
  • Palate: Full-bodied yet remarkably composed, the wine opens with plush black fruit layered over firm yet fine-grained tannins. Hints of tobacco, mocha, and earth develop mid-palate, leading to a long, clean finish driven by structure and freshness.

Did you know?

Noon only produces its Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon in exceptional vintages, with no wine bottled under this label in 2001, 2008, 2010, 2011, 2013, or 2017. The 2021 vintage is a standout year, both in quality and quantity, described by the estate as “the harvest they had been hoping for.”

Wine Pairing Ideas

  • Grilled lamb cutlets with rosemary: Elevates the wine’s herbal nuances while matching its structure.
  • Beef Wellington with mushroom duxelles: A luxurious pairing that complements the wine’s depth and polish.
  • Dry-aged ribeye steak: The bold tannins and ripe black fruit harmonize beautifully with marbled beef.
  • Aged Comté or clothbound cheddar: Salty, umami-rich cheeses accentuate the wine’s savoury character and refined texture.

History of Noon Winery

The story of Noon Winery began in the 1960s, when David Noon, a French teacher turned farmer, began selling grapes from his property in McLaren Vale to local wineries. Encouraged by the quality of his fruit, he started vinifying small lots himself, eventually creating a loyal following by nothing more than word of mouth—and a simple sign at the end of his driveway.

In 1996, David’s son Drew Noon, having earned his stripes at Tyrrell’s Winery in the Hunter Valley and later achieving the title of Master of Wine, took over the estate with his wife Rae. From that moment, Noon Winery was reborn with a clearer focus on site-specific, terroir-driven red wines. The Noons enhanced vineyard practices, adopted biodynamic principles, and refined a low-intervention approach to winemaking.

Drew Noon’s philosophy is rooted in authenticity and transparency: no fining, no filtration, and minimal sulphur use. His hands-on experience in both vineyard and cellar defines every wine released under the Noon label.

Region and Vineyards

Noon Winery is situated in the heart of McLaren Vale, a region famed for its Mediterranean climate, ancient soils, and exceptionally old vines, particularly of Grenache. The proximity to the Gulf of St Vincent provides beneficial cooling breezes, tempering ripening conditions and preserving acidity in the wines.

The estate owns and works with several key vineyard parcels, notably the Winery Block, BJ’s Block, and Almond Block, located less than 400 metres from the Noon residence. The Grenache vines, many of which were planted in 1934 and 1943, are bush-trained, dry-farmed, and ungrafted, offering pure and concentrated expressions of fruit and site.

Additional fruit is sourced from the Borrett family’s vineyard in Langhorne Creek, particularly for the Cabernet Sauvignon and Shiraz used in wines such as Reserve Cabernet and Reserve Shiraz. These vines, aged 30–50 years, grow in deep, alluvial soils with excellent water-holding capacity, ideal for producing structured, age-worthy reds.

Wine Range of Noon Winery

Noon’s production is small-scale and highly selective, with wines released only in years that meet the estate’s quality threshold. The flagship wines include:

  • Eclipse – A Grenache-dominant blend (with Shiraz and Graciano), and the winery’s most iconic wine, expressive of old vines and Mediterranean warmth.
  • Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon – Sourced from the same Langhorne Creek block since 1996, showing power, depth, and longevity.
  • Reserve Shiraz – A bold, dark-fruited wine with exceptional ageability, made only in top vintages.
  • Cabernet Sauvignon – A varietal expression from Langhorne Creek, blending richness and structure.
  • Shiraz – Juicy, vibrant, and densely textured, with a touch of new oak and natural acidity.

Each wine is fermented with indigenous yeasts in open-top wooden vats, basket-pressed, and aged in a mix of seasoned French and American oak—typically large formats to minimize wood influence. All wines are bottled unfined and unfiltered, preserving natural texture and flavour.

Did you know?

Drew Noon is one of the few Masters of Wine in the world who actively farms and makes his own wine. Despite its international reputation, Noon Winery produces only a few thousand cases per year, making its wines highly sought after and rarely seen outside Australia. The Eclipse Grenache vines are nearly 90 years old, among the oldest still-producing Grenache vines in the country.

Noon Eclipse 2017
Noon Eclipse 2017
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Eclipse 2017
RP
94
A rich and characterful red from McLaren Vale, Noon Eclipse 2017 delivers Grenache-based intensity with the depth and complexity of a wine built for aging.
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