Voyager’s Project label is one of those gifts that keeps on giving. This latest release is the result of a trial to see what Cabernet might produce as a lighter, ‘Beaujolais Nouveau’ style. Using Clone 337 (a good one), planted on Ullingers Block 4, this was fermented as a layer cake, with 30% whole bunches sandwiched between layers of de-stemmed fruit. Clone 337 tends to a lower tannin profile, and Voyager’s juice spent just seven days on skins, picking up only a pinch of these (they are present though). The wine then competed fermentation in stainless steel prior to three months on light lees.
The result is a bright, red fruited, punchy little red dripping with cherry and aniseed fruit notes and prickly tannins keeping it real. Delicious and terrific value.