The Cenosilicaphobic Cat Sagrantino Cinsault
⏳ wine.drinking_window
Typically best enjoyed 3–10 years from vintage release.
🍽️ wine.food_pairings
Roasted lamb shoulder, wild mushroom ragu, slow-cooked game stews
✨ wine.spec_sheet
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.
🍾 wine.about_producer
Established in 1912 by Joseph Osborn in the heart of McLaren Vale, South Australia, d'Arenberg is a historic, family-owned winery currently guided by fourth-generation winemaker Chester Osborn. Renowned for its traditional, hands-on approach, the estate utilizes very old basket presses and practices foot-treading for all its red wines, maintaining a steadfast commitment to organic and biodynamic viticulture. The winery is celebrated for its highly characterful, complex wines with distinctive, quirky names, most notably its flagship 'The Dead Arm' Shiraz, alongside exceptional Grenache and Rhône-style blends. Today, the estate seamlessly blends its rich heritage with avant-garde innovation, epitomized by the iconic d'Arenberg Cube visitor center rising above the ancient vines.