Viticulture

Fruit sourced to make the Yelverton is grown with absolute attention to detail. Identification of soil boundaries within blocks is the first step in selecting potentially superior fruit. Close monitoring and analysis of these vines leads to shoot or bunch thinning by hand if required to obtain the perfect balance for good exposure and healthy ripening. A philosophy of minimal inputs in these premium blocks allows the unique combination of variety, soil type and microclimate to shine through and produce a parcel of fruit with true character. The 2022 vintage was a near perfect growing season with mild day temperatures, cold nights and no heat spikes.

Winemaking

Our Forester Yelverton Cabernet Sauvignon parcels are gently crushed to small open fermenters and receive a slight “drain-off’ of free run juice to increase the skin to juice ratio. This helps intensify the flavour, aroma and body of the wine without altering the underlying unique vineyard qualities present. A slow temperature controlled ferment is employed with daily draining away of fermenting juice under gravity and pumping back over the skins to assist in the extraction. Heading down boards keep the ‘cap’ of skins submerged beneath the cool fermenting wine to avoid excessive heat which we believe leads to a more refined wine. The ideal skin contact time in fermenter varies from one vintage to the next with the 2022 Cabernet spending an average 25 days in contact with skins before pressing out. The best parcels are aged in fine grained French oak barriques for 15 months with careful blending of the Yelverton taking place approximately three months prior to bottling.

Storage / Bottling

The 2022 Yelverton was bottled in July of 2023 to premium claret glass with a stelvin closure. Stored in our temperature controlled cellar prior to release this wine is drinking exceptionally well now and with prudent storage should continue to show well towards 2038.

Awards & Achievements

2022 Yelverton Reserve Cabernet

Perth Royal Wine Awards 2023 | Silver
James Halliday Cabernet Challenge 2023 | Silver
Wine Show of Western Australia 2023 | Silver
Margaret River Wine Show 2023 | Silver
International Wine & Spirits Competition 2023 | Bronze
Royal Melbourne Wine Show 2023 | Bronze

2020 Yelverton Reserve Cabernet

Perth Royal Wine Awards 2022 | GOLD
Wine Show of WA Mount Barker 2022 | GOLD
Australian Small Wine Makers Show 2022 | GOLD
Royal Hobart Wine Show 2022 | GOLD
Margaret River Wine Show 2022 | GOLD
London International Wine Challenge 2022 | Bronze
Royal Queensland Wine Show 2022 | Bronze

2014 Yelverton Reserve Cabernet

James Halliday Wine Companion | 95 Points
Sydney Royal Wine Show 2019 | TROPHY – Best Mature Red
Royal Queensland Wine Show 2016 | TROPHY – Best Cabernet of the Show
Sydney Royal Wine Show 2019 | GOLD
Sydney Int Wine Competition 2018 – | BLUE GOLD
Sydney Int Wine Competition 2018 – | TOP 100
Sydney Int Wine Competition 2016 – | BLUE GOLD
Royal Queensland Wine Show 2016 | GOLD
Royal Hobart Wine Show 2016 | GOLD
Sydney Int Wine Competition 2016 – | TOP 100
Wine Show of WA Mount Barker 2017 | GOLD
Decanter World Wide Awards 2018 | Silver
International Wine & Spirits Competition 2017 | Silver
Wine Show of WA Mount Barker 2016 | Silver
Royal Melbourne Wine Show 2016 | Silver
National Wine Show of Australia 2016 | Silver
Australian Small Winemakers Show 2016 | Silver
Margaret River Wine Show 2018 | Bronze
Royal Adelaide Wine Show 2016 | Bronze

2013 Yelverton Reserve Cabernet

London International Wine Challenge 2019 | GOLD
International Wine Challenge 2016 | Commended

2012 Yelverton Reserve Cabernet

James Halliday Wine Companion | 95 Points
Sydney Int Wine Competition 2020 – | GOLD
95/100 – Houn Hooke – The Real Review
Decanter World Wine Awards 2019 | Silver
Wine Show of WA Mount Barker 2019 | Silver
International Wine & Spirits Competition 2015 | Silver
Royal Perth Wine Show 2015 | Silver
International Wine Challenge 2015 | Commended
Qantas Wine Show of WA Mount Barker 2014 | Silver

2011 Yelverton Reserve Cabernet

Margaret River Wine Show 2014 | GOLD
Ray Jordan Wine Guide 2011 | 94 Points
International Wine Challenge 2013 | Silver
Qantas Wine Show of WA Mount Barker 2014 | Silver
Australian Small Winemakers Show 2013 | Silver
Qantas Wine Show of WA Mount Barker 2015 International Wine & Spirits Competition 2014, International Wine Challenge 2014,
Margaret River Wine Show 2013, Qantas Wine Show of WA Mount Barker 2013 | Bronze

2009 Yelverton Reserve Cabernet

James Halliday Wine Companion | 94 Points
Silver Medal – International Wine & Spirits Competition 2013
Commended – International Wine Challenge 2013
Gold Medal – Royal Hobart Wine Show 2012
Silver Medal – Qantas Wine Show of WA Mount Barker 2013
Silver Medal – Qantas Mount Barker Wine Show 2011
93 Points – Ray Jordan Wine Guide 2014
4 Stars – Winestate March/April 2014

“Leafy varietal aromas showing a nice line of licorice characters. Delicate leafy palate is a touch warm, with some supple tannins.”

93 Points – Ray Jordan Wine Guide 2014

“Such a powerful statement of cabernet here. Hits with a wave of concentrated black fruits splashed liberally with a decent hit of cedary oak. The palate is massively deep and intense. Ripe firm tannins, substantial oak and lots of dark fruit. Yet it all comes together in a powerful statement of this variety.”

93 Points – Campbell Mattinson, The Wine Front, May 2014

“Named after Henry John Yelverton, a pioneer of the Margaret River region – long before wine entered the area. Trademark notes of eucalypt but a wine of length and finesse. This drinks well now but it’s a monty for the cellar. Slippery smooth blackcurrant and mulberry with spicy oak and eucalypt. Fine ripple pf tannin. Quite lovely.”

Bronze Medal – Margaret River Wine Show 2013
Bronze Medal – Australian Small Winemakers Show 2013
Bronze Medal – Adelaide Wine Show 2013
Bronze Medal – Perth Royal Wine Show 2013
Bronze Medal – Qantas Mount Barker Wine Show 2012
Bronze Medal – Australian Small Winemakers Show 2012
Bronze Medal – National Wine Show of Australia 2012
Bronze Medal – Margaret River Wine Show 2011
Bronze Medal – Australian Small Winemakers Show 2011
Bronze Medal – Royal Melbourne Wine Show 2011
Bronze Medal – Rutherglen Wine Show 2010

2008 Yelverton Reserve Cabernet

James Halliday Wine Companion | 94 Points
Silver Outstanding – International Wine & Spirits Competition 2013
94 Points – Wine Showcase Magazine Winter 2013
3 1/2 Stars – Winestate Tasting July/August Edition 2013
3 1/2 Stars – Winestate Tasting May Edition 2012
Silver Medal – International Wine & Spirits Competition 2012
Silver Medal – Royal Sydney Wine Show 2013
Bronze Medal – Margaret River Wine Show 2012
Bronze Medal – International Wine Challenge 2012
Bronze Medal – Qantas Mount Barker Wine Show 2012
Bronze Medal – Royal Perth Wine Show 2012
Bronze Medal – Australian Small Winemakers Show 2012
Bronze Medal – Australian small Winemakers Show 2011
Bronze Medal – Royal Melbourne Wine Show 2010

2007 Yelverton Reserve Cabernet

James Halliday Wine Companion | 96 Points
Silver Medal – Cowra Wine Show 2011
Silver Medal – Australian Small Winemakers Show 2010
Best of the Best Wines – Australian Wine Companion 2011
Bronze Medal – Royal Melbourne Wine Show 2011
Bronze Medal – Cowra Wine Show 2010
Bronze Medal – International Wine & Spirits Fair Hong Kong 2011
Bronze Medal – Qantas Wine Show 2010
Bronze Medal – Margaret River Wine Show 2010

2006 Yelverton Reserve Cabernet

No Yelverton Reserve Cabernet made

2005 Yelverton Reserve Cabernet

James Halliday Wine Companion | 92 Points
Silver Medal – International Wine & Spirits Comp 2010
Bronze Medal – National Wine Show of Australia 2010
Bronze Medal – International Wine Challenge 2011
96/100 – Tim White, The Australian Financial Review
95/100 – Ray Jordan 2011 WA Wine Guide
Bronze Medal – Scoop Magazine Autumn 2010
4 1/2 Stars, Winestate Best of the West Tasting 2010

2004 Yelverton Reserve Cabernet

James Halliday Wine Companion | 91 Points
5 Stars, Huon Hooke: Gourmet Traveller WINE Magazine October 2009
4 1/2 Stars, Winestate Magazine 2010
92 Points, Ray Jordan: WA Wine Guide 2010
89 Points, Gary Walsh: The Wine Front
Silver Medal – Perth Royal Wine Show 2009
Silver Medal – Royal Melbourne Wine Show 2009
Bronze Medal – Australian Small Winemakers Show 2009
Bronze Medal – International Wine & Spirits Comp 2009
Bronze Medal – Sydney Royal Wine Show 2009
Bronze Medal – Qantas Wine Show of WA 2008
Bronze Medal – Margaret River Wine Show 2008
Bronze Medal – Cowra Wine Show 2008

2003 Yelverton Reserve Cabernet

No Yelverton Reserve Cabernet made

2002 Yelverton Reserve Cabernet

Bronze Medal – Royal Melbourne Wine Show 2007

2001 Yelverton Reserve Cabernet

James Halliday Wine Companion | 94 Points
Gold Medal – Vintage Cellars National Wine Show of Australia (Highest pointed wine of the show)
5 Stars, Ralph Kyte-Powell August 2007
Silver Medal – Margaret River Wine Show 2006
Silver Medal – Margaret River Wine Show 2007
Bronze Medal – Perth Royal Wine Show 2006
Bronze Medal – Margaret River Wine Show 2002

2000 Yelverton Reserve Cabernet

James Halliday Wine Companion | 92 Points
Gold Medal – Perth Royal Wine Show 2005
Bronze Medal – Margaret River Wine Show 2004