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 a Cabernet blend might look like as a lighter, ‘Beaujolais Nouveau’ style. 79% Cabernet Sauvignon, 14% Malbec, 4% Cab Franc and 3% Merlot, the fruit was sourced from the U4 block (clone 337 Cabernet Sauvignon), Broadvale Block 1 (The Malbec), and Weightmans Block 7 (M214 clone Cab Franc). All these vineyards are planted on stony/gravelly soils and are farmed organically and produce low.
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 five 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. Bottled unfined in July 2021.