Every year, wine lovers around the globe unite on the last Thursday of August to celebrate International Cabernet Day - a day dedicated to the king of the red grapes: Cabernet Sauvignon. Known for its bold character, remarkable structure, and global presence, Cabernet is a variety that has captured the hearts of collectors, critics, and casual wine drinkers alike.
At Victorian Alps Wine Co., Cabernet Sauvignon holds a special place in our story. Our Hidden Story range is about crafting wines of depth and intrigue - wines that reveal something new with every sip. And in 2022, the story we bottled is one you won’t want to miss.
The Wine: Hidden Story 2022 Cabernet Sauvignon
Pour a glass and you’ll be met with a wine that is both expressive and finely tuned.
The nose bursts with aromas of blackcurrant, tobacco, rosemary, and roasted peppers, promising complexity from the first swirl. On the palate, the wine delivers with black mulberry, currants, tomato leaf, bay, and capsicum, seamlessly woven with cedar, toast, and subtle oak notes.
The result? A Cabernet Sauvignon that is generous, structured, and layered with character - a wine that feels like a discovery every time you return to the glass.
The Craft: Winemaking with Precision
Picked on the 6th of April 2022, in the crisp King Valley morning air at 15°C, the fruit was at perfect ripeness - 13.5 baumé - when it reached the winery. From there, our winemakers let the fruit speak for itself:
- Fermented slowly at 24–26°C over seven days.
- Pressed and transferred to stainless steel for an 18-month maturation, untouched, allowing the wine to evolve naturally.
- Bottled with minimal filtration and fining, preserving purity and varietal character.
This minimal intervention approach results in a wine that is vibrant yet grounded, structured yet elegant - an honest reflection of both the vineyard and the vintage.
The Pairing: Cabernet Meets the Table
The palate’s silky, harmonious length makes the Hidden Story 2022 Cabernet Sauvignon an ideal partner for food. Think:
- Chargrilled lamb with rosemary (echoing the wine’s herbal notes).
- Braised short ribs with roasted vegetables.
- Mature cheddar or aged Gouda, where the wine’s structure balances richness beautifully.
It’s a wine that elevates a simple meal into an occasion and a feast into a memory.
Why You Don’t Want to Miss This Cabernet
Cabernet Sauvignon may be the most planted grape in the world, but not all Cabernets are created equal. Hidden Story 2022 Cabernet Sauvignon is a snapshot of Victoria’s cool climate, where elegance meets power, and flavour is delivered with precision. It’s a Cabernet made not just for today’s celebration but for years to come - a wine that will evolve gracefully in the cellar.
On International Cabernet Day, don’t just raise any glass of red. Raise a Cabernet that speaks of place, character, and adventure. Raise a glass of Hidden Story 2022 Cabernet Sauvignon - and let it be part of your story.
Available now - Hidden Story 2022 Cabernet Sauvignon