The Wine
Picked on different days to allow for optimum ripening, parcels of fruit for the Mr. Riggs 2009 "Outpost" Coonawarra Cabernet were separately fermented in 7 and 8 tonne open fermenters. On-skin fermentation was completed before pressings were sent to barrel for 13-17 months to complete fermentation in a 45% new American and French oak combination. Very proud of the third vintage of this fine addition to the Mr. Riggs portfolio, Ben notes that it is a very fragrant, aromatic, tightly structured Coonawarra Cabernet with a lovely, soft, juicy middle palate.

The Vineyards
In making the wines he loves to make - and drink - the outcome is more so "icon wines from icon regions" and in adding Cabernet Sauvignon to the Mr. Riggs portfolio, the illustrious Coonawarra region was an obvious first choice.

A superb 2009 vintage, and a long-standing relationship with good friend and respected winemaker, Kym Tolley, saw a requisition dispatched to Australia’s most renowned Cabernet ‘outpost’ for a measured slice of the Penley Estate Cabernet crop. The resultant blend consists of grapes harvested from no less than four of ten blocks over 71 hectares of 22-year-old Cabernet vines on the property. Sited at 37 Degrees latitude, the Coonawarra region is 450 kilometres closer to the equator than Bordeaux and Penley, in keeping with the area generally, is flat; its maximum elevation just 58 metres above sea level. Each block, however, experiences different soil depths that range from red-brown clay loam to brown sand loam, all over limestone.

In 2009, the Coonawarra showed why it is one of the great red wine producing regions of Australia, as Kym was blessed with fruit in full flavour and acid balance.

The History
Mr. Riggs has a simple and personal vision, ‘black and white' if you like, to make wine that Ben Riggs himself loves to drink - Winemaker's wine. As it happens, this wine too is black and white, also known as Piebald; a co-fermentation of blackest of black Shiraz with a hatful of the purest white Viognier. Thus the reason for introducing "Piebald" to the label.

 

Reviews

• 2009 Mr. Riggs ‘Outpost’ Coonawarra Cabernet
  Score: 94 points.
  Review by: James Halliday , Australian Wine Companion 2012
  "Bright crimson-purple; this opulently powerful cabernet comes from the Penley Vineyard; Ben Riggs finds several dimensions to and layers of blackcurrant fruit; into the bargain, it will age with grace over the coming decades. Screwcap. 14.5% alc. To 2030"

 

 

Currently not available for purchase.

Other Vintages
2010 | 

Closure
Stelvin

Winemaker
Ben Riggs

Grape Variety
100% Cabernet Sauvignon

Growing Region
Coonawarra

Date Bottled
4-Aug-2010

% Alcohol
14.5%

Acidity
6.6g/L

pH
3.49

High Res Photo
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