The Cenosilicaphobic Cat Sagrantino Cinsault
⏳ Drinking Window
2022 - 2028
🍽️ Food & Wine Pairings
Roasted lamb shoulder, wild mushroom ragu, slow-cooked game stews
✨ Technical Specifications
Named after the fear of an empty glass (cenosilicaphobia), 'The Cenosilicaphobic Cat' is a wonderfully eccentric blend of Sagrantino and Cinsault from d'Arenberg's estate in McLaren Vale. This wine brings together two vastly different grape varieties: the deeply colored, highly tannic Sagrantino of Umbrian origin, and the lighter, perfumed, and bright Cinsault of the Southern Rhône. True to d'Arenberg's traditionalist philosophy, the grapes are gently foot-trodden and basket-pressed before undergoing fermentation in open-top fermenters. The wine is then aged in seasoned French oak barriques to soften the intense, rustic tannins of the Sagrantino while preserving the vibrant, spicy red fruit character of the Cinsault. The result is a deeply complex, savory red with a backbone of firm, dusty tannins and a playful, aromatic lift.
🍾 About the Producer
Founded in 1912 by Joseph Osborn, d'Arenberg has grown into one of McLaren Vale's most iconic and storied family-owned estates in South Australia. Under the visionary stewardship of fourth-generation winemaker Chester Osborn, the winery adheres strictly to traditional, sustainable methods, utilizing certified organic and biodynamic viticulture along with foot-treading and basket pressing. Renowned for its eclectic naming conventions and distinctive red-stripe label, the estate crafts a wide spectrum of expressive wines with a particular mastery of Rhône varieties, old-vine Grenache, and robust Shiraz. Signature bottlings such as 'The Dead Arm Shiraz' and 'The Ironstone Pressings' stand as benchmarks of regional depth, complexity, and age-worthy character.
🍇 Grape Varieties
Sagrantino, Cinsault
🍷 Alcohol By Volume (ABV)
14% - 14.5%