Brand's of Coonawarra Laira Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon 1998

Brand's of Coonawarra Laira Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon 1998James Halliday Top 100 Wines of 2000 The Brand family is one of the oldest in Coonawarra, Eric Brand having purchased a 28 hectare vineyard in the heart of the Terra Rossa soil in 1950. Over the next 40 years, the Brand family produced some outstanding wines, but the results were not always consistent. However, in 1990, the Brand family and McWilliams joined forces, the latter acquiring 50% of Brand's. In 1994, McWilliams purchased the remaining 50%.

We like the Pinot fruit to shine

Melanie Chester joined Giant Steps as Head of Winemaking and Viticulture in 2021

being not too rich

joining Hoddles Creek a few kilometres to the north-west and ultimately emptying into the meandering Yarra River

this is an elegant wine

The vine rows run east/west to shade the fruit from over exposure

The conditions for premium wine grape growing are ideal with long hot summer days ameliorated by very cool overnight temperatures

These carefully chosen sites add complexity and completeness to the wines

I pay close attention to the fill-in and layering of the different flavour spectrums and aromas

"This is a beautiful wine

Very clean

A wine with power delivered with consummate subtlety