How do you feel about The Caley today and the legacy it has started to form since its inaugural release?

Robert Hill-Smith: Flagship fine wines today that enter this so called “luxury space” have to deliver not only to “quasi-authorities” on wine, but also the connoisseur market that we are seeking to talk to and impress. The wine cannot be a one hit wonder and must deliver consistency of narrative and quality in a way that builds a solid base of loyalty. Without provenance of the wine itself it has relied on our own provenance, integrity and enthusiasm. If I am honest the people that should know do know and have rated the wine highly across many continents. Given our commitment to The Caley Story and the quality aspirations I feel we have done very well and I’m constantly buoyed by the exceptional feedback we get.

Kevin Glastonbury: For me, it’s another step in our journey to pursue the Great Australian Red. When we first launched The Caley 2012, we had 2016 in barrel. These five vintages were very special and we were able to launch this wine with confidence, while paying respect and honouring the 172 year history that has led to its inception.

How do you personally feel about the 2016 vintage?

RHS: Having followed the ferments and the development of the wine since 2016 and worked alongside KG on the final blend I cannot help but be excited about its release. It was an even ripening season, clean bunches and exceptional balanced flavours. We had many options for our blend but again our core sites were chosen, which happily continued the vineyard theme we started in 2012.

KG: This is truly a magnificent wine. ‘2016’ was an exemplary vintage, which could be compared to the great vintage of ‘06. Our job is to extract the greatness of the vintage, to pick the fruit at its optimum and to seamlessly blend the perfect amount of cabernet with shiraz. This year, the final blend was 71% cabernet and 29% shiraz. The shiraz has given us beautiful aromatics, its plush and rich, while the cabernet delivers structure and drive for a long lingering finish. People are really going to get excited about this wine.

What can we expect from The Caley 2016?

KG: Impressively composed, with attractive floral notes, forest and bracken berries, and plums. Ripe, assertive fruit on the palate, driven through to the finish with a juicy freshness. Built to spend many years in the cellar, The Caley takes time to reveal its true character. Drinking beautifully on release the wine will live on for decades in the cellar. If opened as a younger wine we recommend double decanting prior to serving.