2014 G&W Cabernet Sauvignon

The Story: “Sourced from our company owned vineyards, “G” is for Graymoor in the Coonawarra and “W” for Wickham Park in McLaren Vale. The individual growing conditions of each site affords us the unique opportunity of being able to blend wines of what each region has to offer.” - Geoff Merrill

Vintage Information: The 2014 vintage in starting promisingly with above average winter rains providing the vineyards with an excellent head start to the growing season.  A warm and dry spring followed leading to early flowering and ultimately reducing yields to below previous years before a series of extreme heat events during Summer pushing the vines to their limits.

In early February 2014 the rains returned providing great relief while also delaying harvest until March and early April allowing flavour to balance with sugar ripeness. In the end while yields were lower than usual, the wine quality was excellent with great colour and bright, pure fruit flavours.

Winemakers Notes: The colour is a dark red with brick and ruby hues. There's no mistaking the variety, with tomato leaf, capsicum, blueberry and chocolate coming through strongly. Some secondary earth, leather and soy are adding hints of complexity yet to come.

The palate displays the best of both premium Cabernet regions with McLaren Vale dark fruits and chocolate, and finer blue fruits, capsicum and herbs of Coonawarra. There's a real strength and depth about this wine, with inky, persistent tannins and confident acidity on the finish.

Food Pairing: Try it with a rack of lamb, venison pie, moussaka, roasted mushrooms and beef burgers.

Winemakers: Geoff Merrill & Scott Heidrich

Variety: Cabernet Sauvignon

Oak Treatment: 22 months in new (20%) and seasoned American & French oak hogsheads.

Region: McLaren Vale 73% / Coonawarra 27%

Harvest Date: March / April 2014

Alc: 14.5%, pH: 3.32, TA: 7.80 g/L, RS: 1.8 g/L