Doug Balnaves was a shearer of Merino sheep, recording his count in the tally book to be paid by the number he had sheared. He now counts down the days until vintage, as with all releases of Tally Cabernet Sauvignon, it is the harmony and fine balance which are the outstanding features. A perfectly perfumed Coonawarra bouquet, brambleberry and dark cassis, elderberry, violets and mint. Its unbridled elegance and extraordinary length of palate, fragrant of coffee and oreo oak, supported by the finest grain tannins. Opulent yet refined, be advised, decant the Tally and breathe before service.
After spells of winemaking at Mountadam, Lindemans, Leo Buring, Pipers Brook and Wynns, winemaking supremo Peter Bissell teamed up with Doug Balnaves, one of the Coonawarra's most experienced viticulturalists. Doug Balnave has been involved in various industry bodies including the SA Wine & Brandy Association, Limestone Coast Wine Industry Council and Coonawarra Vignerons Association. The Tally is assembled from grapes hand picked off Dead Morris Vineyard. The finest bunches are set aside for twenty six days maceration on skins. The Tally was matured sixteen months in completely new Taransaud and Seguin Moreau Chateau barriques before a light egg fining and bottling under procork.
