Nose
Spicy berry fruit aromas and hints of cedar and oak influence on
the nose.
Palate
The palate is refined and smooth, showing flavours of ripe
blackberry and red currant characters. Fine, ripe tannins
round out the wine, with lingering dried herb and savoury
nuances on the finish.
Growing Conditions
The exceptional 2014 vintage started in September 2013
where rainfall for this month was over double the long term
average (215mm). This was a perfect start to the season to set
up the vines, through to harvest. It was a moderate, warm
summer in Margaret River, with remarkably unchanging
conditions day after day, right up until autumn and the final
days of harvest. These mild conditions retained grape acids
and minimised phenolics in the white varieties whilst
maximising their aromatic and flavour intensity. The slow
even rate of ripening meant harvest decisions were very
precise with the result being exceptionally balanced juices and
wines. The reds also had moderate Baume levels at full
ripeness and a fineness of tannin. There are many similarities
to the 2008 vintage in Margaret River.
Winemaking
Cabernet from one of our oldest blocks in the Carbunup River
Vineyard, in conjunction with a rich batch of Merlot from our
Cellar Door Vineyard (Yallingup) were destemmed to separate
static tanks and inoculated immediately with a Bordeaux yeast
strain. Each tank was pumped over twice daily using a
Turbopigeur - a red fermentation pump designed in France
that floods the cap with a very gentle pumping action. The
wines were fermented on skins to dryness at a maximum of
28°C and pressed after 20 days. The wine was racked to barrel
for MLF and was then matured for 15 months in 20% new
French oak barriques. Racking of the wine occurred quarterly,
softening the tannins and promoting oak integration. This is a
wine with good structure that will reward cellaring.
Appearance
Medium dark red colour with purple tints.
