2024 Bicknell FC Lance Old Vine Cabernet Sauvignon

This is proper old-school Yarra Cabernet. Sourced from the original 1976 plantings at the Lance vineyard in St Andrews, these vines have been in the ground for nearly 50 years. That kind of vine age brings a natural balance and intensity to the fruit that you just can't manufacture in the winery.

Dave Bicknell’s approach here was all about respect for the raw material. He used 100% whole berries in the ferment to keep the fruit bright and lifted, leaving it on skins for three weeks to gently extract the structure. It was then pressed to barriques where it rested for 11 months with just a couple of rackings. It’s Cabernet stripped back to its essentials - no tricks, just great fruit.

The result is a wine that captures the classic, medium-bodied elegance the Yarra is famous for. It has the depth of flavour you expect from low-yielding old vines, but it remains fresh and lively on the palate. It is savoury, structural and driven by fine-grained tannins that will see it age gracefully for years to come.

Just 142 dozen made.