2021 Printhie Mountain Range Cabernet Sauvignon, Orange

Blackcurrant, blackberry and concentrated flavours of clove, winter pine and terracotta clay. Caraway seeds, cinnamon and oriental vanilla with a hint of sandalwood. A densely packed wine with grainy tannins and plenty of vitality.

90 points Special Value Shanteh Wale winecompanion.com.au

Printhie Mountain Range Cabernet Sauvignon is a confident, cool climate expression that shows just how well Cabernet performs at altitude in Orange. Vineyards sit high on the slopes of Mount Canobolas, where volcanic soils, long ripening and cold nights preserve acidity while allowing Cabernet to build flavour slowly and evenly. The result is a wine that combines depth and structure with freshness and restraint, very much a mountain grown style.

Printhie Wines is a family run estate that has become one of Orange’s leading voices, with a strong focus on site expression and precision. The Mountain Range series highlights elevated vineyards and cooler conditions, and Cabernet Sauvignon is handled with care to avoid heaviness. Extraction is measured and oak is used to support structure and complexity rather than overwhelm the fruit.

In the glass, the wine is expressive yet composed. Blackcurrant, cassis and dark cherry lead, followed by notes of graphite, dried herbs and subtle cedar. There is a cool, leafy edge typical of mountain Cabernet, adding freshness and definition rather than greenness.

On the palate, Printhie Mountain Range Cabernet Sauvignon is medium to full bodied and beautifully shaped. Dark fruit flavours flow through the mid palate, supported by firm, fine grained tannins and bright acidity that give the wine line and length. The texture is structured but refined, with oak contributing polish and gentle spice. The finish is long, dry and savoury, lingering with cassis, graphite and herbal notes.

This is a Cabernet built for the table and the cellar. It pairs beautifully with grilled beef, lamb, game or richly flavoured vegetable dishes. Drinking well now with some air, it will also cellar confidently over eight to twelve years, gaining complexity and savoury depth.

Printhie Mountain Range Cabernet Sauvignon is focused, structured and unmistakably Orange. A cool climate Australian Cabernet that delivers depth, balance and a strong sense of place.