Since its first release in 1988, the name Parker Coonawarra has represented outstanding quality, longevity and elegance from the region. Based in the very southern end of the Terra Rossa strip, the wines have always embodied a fine, long-lived, classic style. The Hesketh family became the custodians of the vision for Parker in 2013, and have continued with these ideals. The wines offer an exceptional insight into why the Coonawarra region became famous for powerful yet delicious cabernet. This includes a Langton's classification for the flagship First Growth bottling.

Parker Estate First Growth 2020
First Growth celebrates its 25th vintage release with the 2020 vintage and it’s a ripper. It’s pure, 100% Coonawarra Cabernet Sauvignon as evidenced by the strong, invigorating herbal presence. A rush of thyme, rosemary, fennel mesh with mulberry, black berry and loganberry aromas – quite an exotic, attractive berry feature – and warm woodsy spice notes. Still a mere babe at this young age, such is always the case with First Growth which is traditionally built for the long haul. The palate opens invitingly in crushed leaves, fennel, thyme and herbals surrounding black fruits, bay leaf and cedar. Tannins are bold. Herbals amplified on the finish. Resist the urge to open now, if you can. Further time in bottle will be rewarded big time.
Rating: 96 points
Source: Jeni Port - Wine Pilot

Parker Estate First Growth 2020
Patience yields reward and this Parker Coonawarra First Growth is an excellent case in point. It took three days of tasting to find its groove and how good was it to wait it out. I'm pleased to report that it is a brilliant Cabernet.
Tight, tense and leafy early, it's absolutely humming with some air under its wings. But wines like these are made for the long haul so ride it out. Buy it, tuck it away and you'll be grinning from ear to ear.
Quite savoury and herbal initially, roasted capsicum, black olives, red earth, black tea and some undergrowth. Tense and coiled, black fruits and berries aren't far from the action as dense plums build momentum. Blackberry compote and cigar box characters slowly move forward after some time to compose themselves. Finishing with a gorgeous spice tease, give it the time it deserves.
Drink 2027 to 15 years+
Rating: 95 Points
Source: Steve Lescyzinski, QWine

Parker Coonawarra Estate First Growth 2020
Quite classic Coonawarra aromas of cassis, black cherry, cedar, pencil shavings, eucalyptus and a lift of ferrous earth. Firm, structured and built for the long haul. Flavours are in the dark fruit zone, along with spice and a leafy mintiness. The tannins are chalky and serious and the length is impressive. A wine to cellar
Rating: 95 Points, 5 Stars
Source: Aaron Brasher, The Real Review

Parker Coonawarra Estate First Growth 2020
Medium-deep crimson. Intense blackcurrant, cedar tomato leaf, with hint capsicum notes. Well balanced wine with blackcurrant, mulberry fruits, cedary tannins, lovely inky density, some light vanilla, marzipan notes and fresh long crisp acidity. Still in parts, but a throwback to the 1980s. Now-2045. 14.5%
Rating; 93+
Source: Andrew Caillard MW, Winepilot.com

Parker Coonawarra Estate First Growth 2020
Blackcurrant, redcurrant, quite leafy with a chopped red capsicum spiciness, mint leaf, and ginger biscuit oak. It’s medium-bodied, quite developed and squishy fruited, though it does have a sort of charming herbal, leafy and sweet-fruited sense of decay, some tomato consommé flavour too. Don’t mind me, but this kind of harks back to Coonawarra Cabernet of decades back. Some grainy tannin offers grip on a finish of solid length. Curious wine, yet I quite like it.
Rating: 91 Points
Source: Gary Walsh, The Wine Front

Bottle Image

Tasting Notes

Logo