A deep, dark, fruit driven nose with loads of dark cherry and spicy plums as well as a touch of warm oak. The palate is rich and full, and oozes with dark fruit flavours. Blackberry and dark cherry flavours combine with a rich toasty oak and a fruit toast type spicy finish. Wonderfully textured and weighted, the 2018 Merlot Cabernet is a fantastically complex yet fantastically drinkable wine.

The 2018 vintage started early with a warm spring and perfect flowering conditions. As the season reached January and February, it was very hot and the vintage had all the signs of a spectacular one. 1 major rain event in March caused some growers of white varieties issues but our Merlot block came through unscathed. Our merlot was grown in the Bridge Pa region and was hand picked and fermented in small open top fermenters. Aged for 18 months in older oak barrels, before being blended and bottled in July 2019.

The antipodean sommelier  says “The 2018 vintage is immediately approachable but will cellar beautifully over the next 3-6 years - if you can wait that long!”

Wine Orbit 90 points 

Wine Orbit 4,5 Stars

WINEMAKER Hayden Penny

TECHNICAL ANALYSIS:

Total Acidity  4.7g/l

Residual Sugar <1 g/l

Alcohol 13.5%