2023 Printhie Topography Cabernet Sauvignon, Orange

Clearly cabernet sauvignon, the wine displays blackberries and kirsch with Assam tea bitterness and grainy tannins. The added bonus of a boysenberry, jubey note in the middle palate stops the wine from becoming too muscular. A long acid line is the star of the show. Thirst quenching and moreish.

92 points Shanteh Wale winecompanion.com.au

Printhie Topography Cabernet Sauvignon is a vibrant cool-climate expression of this classic red grape, hailing from the high-altitude vineyards of Orange in New South Wales. Sitting at elevations between 900 and 1000 metres on the slopes of Mount Canobolas, Printhie’s vineyards experience a long, slow ripening season with warm days and chilly nights—ideal conditions for Cabernet Sauvignon to retain its structure and develop refined tannins and aromatics.

The Topography range is all about site expression, and this wine delivers a true snapshot of the Orange region’s distinct climate and volcanic soils. The fruit is hand-harvested and fermented in small batches, with gentle pump-overs to extract flavour and tannin without overworking the must. After fermentation, the wine is matured in a mix of French oak barriques, mostly seasoned, to build texture and complexity while preserving the brightness of the fruit.

In the glass, this Cabernet is medium-bodied but focused, showing lifted aromas of blackcurrant, mulberry, bay leaf and cedar, with hints of graphite, clove and mountain herbs. The palate is precise and finely structured, with ripe tannins, a lively acid backbone and a savoury, mineral finish that speaks to the region’s volcanic bedrock. There’s no excess ripeness here—just clarity, balance and drive.

This wine is a natural match for roast lamb with rosemary, venison sausages, grilled portobello mushrooms or aged cheddar. It’s also excellent with braised beef, chargrilled eggplant or mushroom stroganoff. It will drink beautifully in its youth with a short decant, but has the structure to cellar gracefully for up to eight years.

The Topography Cabernet is consistently praised for its restraint, purity and food-friendly nature. It reflects Printhie’s philosophy of letting the vineyard lead, showcasing the elegance of Orange Cabernet without over-extraction or excessive oak.