The Petaluma Project Co Coonawarra Cabernet Sauvignon 2014 is a remarkable snapshot of precision winemaking and cool-climate Cabernet excellence, capturing a singular moment in the evolution of one of Australia’s most respected producers. Sourced from the Evan’s and Sharefarmers Vineyards at the northern end of Coonawarra, this wine reflects both an exceptional season and a deeply thoughtful approach to maturation and balance.
The 2014 growing season delivered naturally low yields following poor flowering, a challenge that became an advantage, concentrating flavour and structure in the Cabernet berries. A warm January followed by soaking February rains slowed ripening, allowing the fruit to reach ideal physiological maturity before being hand-picked in mid-April. The grapes were transported to the original Petaluma winery in Piccadilly Valley — making this the final vintage crafted at that historic site before the move to Woodside — adding further significance to this release.
Winemaking focused on detail and texture, with a small portion of fruit destemmed only to allow whole-berry carbonic maceration. This component brought forward ripe berry purity and softened tannins, later blended back into the final wine. Fermentation ran for two weeks before the wine was pressed and transferred to French oak barriques, 60% new, where it completed malolactic fermentation and matured for an extended period. Over 24 months, the wine was repeatedly assessed in barrel to find the perfect moment where fruit, oak and structure aligned, before being bottled with minimal intervention — a true labour of patience and restraint.
In the glass, this medium-bodied cool-climate Cabernet Sauvignon shows brooding dark fruits, cassis and black olive, layered with mocha, subtle earthiness and chalky, fine-grained tannins that speak unmistakably of Coonawarra’s famed terra rossa soils. The palate is composed, savoury and elegant, with beautifully resolved oak and a long, confident finish that confirms its museum-release credentials.
Already drinking superbly, this wine will continue to evolve gracefully for another decade or more. It is a natural match for hearty Italian dishes — think slow-braised beef ragu, osso buco, mushroom risotto or aged hard cheeses — where its structure, savoury depth and refined tannins shine brightest.
Produced by a 5 Red Star Halliday Wine Companion–rated winery and recognised as a Special Winemaker Project Museum Release, the Petaluma Project Co Coonawarra Cabernet Sauvignon 2014 stands among the producer’s most compelling expressions of region, vintage and craft.
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