Wine Estate Cabernet Merlot

78% Cabernet Sauvignon, 22% Merlot

TASTING NOTES

Deep red colour with slight brick hues. The aroma, immediately closed with hints of cherry and dark berries and oak, evolves in the glass over time to reveal a vibrant minty perfume, aromas of violets, sage, lavender and cocoa. The palate also takes some time for the fruit to emerge from its tight bindings of fine tannin. Excellent length through the palate and finishing with clean pure fruit flavours. Classical Margaret River Cabernet characters.

WINEMAKING NOTES

This wine is primarily sourced from Clairault's first plantings of Cabernet Sauvignon (1976) and Merlot (1982). The 2003 vintage finished with a period of cool weather that allowed the Cabernet to achieve full tannin ripeness while still maintaining some of its inherent herbal lift. Fermentation occurs in 5 tonne open fermenters and remains on skins for 10 to 15 days. Maturation for this wine was two years in new (20%) and old (80%) French oak barriques. The wine was made to be tight and restrained and to enjoy a long life, ten years plus.

WINEMAKING DATA

Sugar Level at Picking: 13.5 to 14.1 Baume

Wine pH: 3.49

Wine Titratable Acidity: 7.1g/l

Wine Residual Sugar: Dry

Alcohol: 14.0%