Nose
The nose is aromatic, but not of any single aroma, with the oak a bit more forward and coming across as spice (5 spice / aniseed) and smoke.
Palate
The palate a bit more than mid-weight this year. Tannins smooth and resolved.
Growing Conditions
2011 was a warm vintage and the Merlot vines were under a bit of stress for most of the summer (as was the whole of Margaret River). The Merlot area with the shallower clay to the east was holding up well, but the section closer to the Cabernet Franc was approaching full ripeness. I waited as long as I could to resolve the tannins, and then picked off half of the grapes near the Cabernet Franc in one tranche (stopping the pick by 9.45am as temperatures were already creeping up to 30°C), and then a few days later picked off the other half. Surprisingly the sugar and acid was pretty similar from both batches, and they were made separately so as to be able to follow their evolution.
Winemaking
The fruit came off in excellent condition and went through fermentation and malolactic fermentation like a dream. With a selection of new and 1-2yo oak the wine was kept in barrel for 18 months before bottling in November 2012. Only 5 barrels were selected in June 2012 blending trials for this Reserve wine.
Food Pairing
The classic combination of roast beef with all the trimmings with this wine. Other combinations that should delight include any game bird.
