Passing Clouds The Angel Cabernet 2022 (Bendigo)

Passing Clouds was the name co-founders Graeme Leith and Sue Mackinnon gave to their small family owned winery when in 1974 having tirelessly hand planted their central Victorian Bendigo vineyard, were hoping for rain. Rain clouds would come, threaten and pass, and on old gold diggings and a deserted creek bed, they planted Shiraz and Cabernet Sauvignon grapes.

At Present, Graeme’s son Cameron is the winemaker since taking over in 2008 and is making wines that are true to the heritage and unique style of Passing Clouds whilst having a heavy focus on the vineyards to enhance terroir expression. In 2010 he completed his Masters in Wine Technology and Viticulture.

Passing Clouds still makes all of their acclaimed Bendigo reds, but now also has an emphasis on cool climate Pinot Noir and Chardonnay sourced from their new home in the Macedon Ranges.

2022 was a cooler year and was a challenge year viticulturally. Later harvest in Bendigo allowed for a longer hang time and increased character development, but wet weather was a constant threat. Fortunately, the fruit was clean, and the extra development is more than apparent in a vintage showing increased complexity.

The Angel is a blend of Passing Clouds finest Cabernet Sauvignon barrels each year. After twelve months in oak, barrel selection occurs to create the optimal blend. The barrels are aged for an additional 5 months. A minimum of 10 months of bottle maturation occurs, beginning the development of a wine that regularly shows well at 20 years of age. The resultant wine is a sophisticated and extremely age-worthy expression of Cabernet Sauvignon.

The fruit is 100% de-stemmed and hand sorted before being traditionally vinified in open stainless-steel fermenters, which are hand plunged twice a day. A portion of batches saw post ferment maceration. All batches are matured in 100% French oak for 17 months. A barrel selection, and minimum of 10 months bottle maturation also occur.