2013 Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon

The Story: “Approx. 14 months after vintage, Scott and I undergo a blind tasting to select the barrels from our Coonawarra and McLaren Vale vineyards that make the grade for our Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon. These barrels are blended together in tank then returned to a variety of new and seasoned American and French oak hogsheads for additional maturation prior to bottling.” - Geoff Merrill

Vintage Information: The lead up to the 2013 vintage in McLaren Vale and the Coonawarra was looking good with Winter rains leaving subsoil moisture levels quite high. The onset of Summer was quite mild giving way to high temperatures and virtually no rain in January and February resulting in relatively low yields for the regions.

The 2013 vintage may have been light in crop, but they were very good in quality with the reds having excellent colour and flavour. The rapid and early harvesting tested many winemakers experience in juggling which vineyards to pick immediately and which grapes to keep on the vine. The results rank very highly compared against previous vintages that have earned McLaren Vale & Coonawarra their reputations.

Winemakers Notes: The colour is dark and dense, with intense deep red hues. The aroma is wonderfully varietal, displaying tomato leaf, violet perfume, spice and blue fruits, with a touch of soy and menthol.

The palate is well structured by firm grippy tannin filled out with generous fruit flavour and supple texture. Even with some time under its belt, the palate is still youthful with great acidity, tension and bright fruit flavours.

Food Pairing: Pair with rich glazed sauces and jus on slow cooked red meat or mushrooms. Beef stroganoff, beef bourguignon, beef short ribs or aged steak with a red wine sauce.

Winemakers: Geoff Merrill & Scott Heidrich

Variety: Cabernet Sauvignon

Oak Treatment: 32 months in new (85%) and seasoned French and American oak hogsheads.

Region: McLaren Vale 53% / Coonawarra 47%

Harvest Date: March 2013

Alc: 14.5%, pH: 3.16, TA: 8.07 g/L, RS: 3.0 g/L