| 2016 Merlot | |
 | Size: 750ml Tasting NotesBriar and spice underlying a floral bouquet filled with raspberries and cherry. The 7% of Cabernet Sauvignon helps to add structure and tannins to the wine whilst the 7% Shiraz adds opulence, plum and dark red berries. Food MatchingA good match with an Irish casserole or boeuf bourgignon. Excellent at a BBQ with grilled lamb chops with rosemary. Substantial enough to complement a good steak yet light enough to enjoy with grilled salmon. Viticulture2016 was a difficult season for us. We were frosted not only once on September 29th but again on the 27th November - 3 days before summer officially began. These frost events devastated the lower block 5 Merlot. Luckily we have a small block of Merlot higher up on the property that escaped the frost. We hand harvested both the Merlot and the Block 4 Shiraz on the 15th March. WinemakingThe grapes were hand picked then destemmed and sorted prior to fermentation in an open fermenter. The wine was pressed when dry and allowed to undergo Malolactic fermentation before being matured in old French oak for 6 months prior to bottling. The late frost impacted the fruit quality somewhat so we blended in about 7% each of our 2016 Shiraz and Cabernet which have added some opulence and elegance to the wine. The Shiraz and Cabernet had spent time in a one year old French barrel which has added some oak characters to the finished wine. Wine AnalysisTA: 6.45g/L |