This wine comes from the northern part of Margaret River where optimal ripeness is assured. Maturation in French oak barriques provides complexity to this generous, elegant and structured wine.The dry tannin structure of Cabernet Sauvignon is mellowed by the soft generous body of Merlot. A small amount of Malbec accentuates both varieties providing depth of colour, aroma, flavour and structure.
TASTING NOTES
Appearance • Deep red with a crimson hue.Nose • Fresh raspberry, red currant and black currant aromas create a platform for delicate herbal nuances of mint and bay leaf. Beautifully integrated, the French oak provides a subtle vanillin and spice fragrance.
Palate • The wine lands with sweet fruit, fine powdery tannins and a juicy, mouth watering acid structure. The flavours display a lovely contrast of red berry, fresh mint and dried bay leaf. It finishes fine and long with sweet berry and savoury tones of earth and spice.
WINEMAKER COMMENTS
The individual batches were crushed separately into stainless steel fermentation vessels. Cabernet parcels underwent a suitable duration of maceration to extract a fine backbone of structural tannins and blackcurrant laden fruit. The Merlot parcels underwent a cold pre-fermentation maceration and were pressed off skins early to maintain a soft luscious mouth feel. The resulting wine was matured in fine French oak for 12 months, with incorporation of traditional oxidative handling, to soften and round the tannin profile and add further aroma and flavour complexity.
VINTAGE DESCRIPTION
Moderate spring conditions in 2009 allowed for better flowering and fruit set then experienced in the previous two years. High temperatures in late January/February saw rapid ripening for whites. Harvest timing was critical. March saw mild conditions in early Autumn which extended ripening of the reds, which was ideal.
REGION Margaret River
VARIETIES 55% Cabernet Sauvignon, 37% Merlot, 8% MalbecHARVESTED March - April 2010OAK 100% French Oak, 12 months(7% new, 93% 1-5 year old) TA 6.5 g/L PH 3.43RESIDUAL SUGAR 0.81 g/LALCOHOL 14.5 %BOTTLED August 2011CELLARING Drinks beautifully now, however will reward medium term cellaring.