Langton’s Selections
Zema Estate Family Selection Cabernet Sauvignon, Zema Estate Cabernet Sauvignon, Zema Estate Cluny Cabernet Blend, Zema Estate Shiraz
Established in 1982, Zema Estate comprises approximately 150 acres of vineyard in three locations on prime terra rossa soils over limestone predominately planted to Cabernet Sauvignon and Shiraz. It is a relatively small family company established by Demetrio Zema, an immigrant from Calabria, Italy. He arrived in Australia in 1959 and based himself in Penola establishing a painting business.
His original wines were backyard bottlings. In 1982 Demetrio had saved enough money to purchase a mature 20 acre block of classic Coonawarra vineyard. The business has since grown organically over the last 25 years. This is very much a family concern. Both sons Matt and Nick Zema are winemakers. However in 2006 Zema appointed Greg Clayfield, a longstanding and respected Coonawarra winemaker, to head up responsibility for winemaking. Th
Langton’s Selections
Zema Estate Family Selection Cabernet Sauvignon, Zema Estate Cabernet Sauvignon, Zema Estate Cluny Cabernet Blend, Zema Estate Shiraz
Established in 1982, Zema Estate comprises approximately 150 acres of vineyard in three locations on prime terra rossa soils over limestone predominately planted to Cabernet Sauvignon and Shiraz. It is a relatively small family company established by Demetrio Zema, an immigrant from Calabria, Italy. He arrived in Australia in 1959 and based himself in Penola establishing a painting business.
His original wines were backyard bottlings. In 1982 Demetrio had saved enough money to purchase a mature 20 acre block of classic Coonawarra vineyard. The business has since grown organically over the last 25 years. This is very much a family concern. Both sons Matt and Nick Zema are winemakers. However in 2006 Zema appointed Greg Clayfield, a longstanding and respected Coonawarra winemaker, to head up responsibility for winemaking. This falls in line with a desire to further improve the style and profile of Zema Estate.
Vines are planted on their own roots on two-wire vertical trellis system and single wire trellis with typically low yields to optimise flavour development. The vines are machine harvested. The wines are vinified in potter fermenters and vinimatics sometimes with extended skin maceration depending on vintage conditions.
The Family Selection Cabernet Sauvignon (only released in an excellent vintage) is matured in a high proportion of new tightly-grained French oak. The standard Cabernet Sauvignon is matured in a combination of new and old French and American oak for between 16 to 24 months. Zema Estate Shiraz is partly barrel fermented and is one of the better Coonawarra Shirazes with plenty of pure fruit and mid-palate richness.
Zema Estate has a moderate profile in the marketplace, but commands a growing following.
Andrew Caillard MW, Langton's
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