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Cabernet Merlot 2010
TASTING NOTE
Mint and mulberry leaf with some cassis and black currant. This is a typical Margaret River Cab Merlot. Dusty cocoa with some sasparilla and cola on the mid palate. Flavors of plum and pink prune with hints of merlot cherry is how the Cabernet 'donut' is filled. The finish shows a tightly wound tannin structure that will look to the future but hold its own in the present. Some sweet menthol makes for a heart warming persistence. Ryan Walsh, winemaker
THE SEASON
With El Nino has come a progressively reduced rainfall. Spring has been a little wetter and summer has had more temperature extremes. In 2009 spring was again wet and blustery and shaping to be something like 2008. But a heat spike in January 2010 with a week of 35 degree+ brought whites into line quickly and within an instant they were coming off earlier than average. Reds drew out as things cooled off heading into March. Patience to get tannin ripeness in reds proved dividends though an early break to the season with rainfall had us on the edge of our seats.
VINEYARDS
Fruit is sourced from the Rocky Road Vineyard which lies in the headwaters of the Chapman Brook, near Witchcliffe in the south of the Margaret River region. With a northerly aspect, the vines enjoy long days of sunshine, moderated by the vineyard's southern location. The vines are grown on a single bilateral cordon with a vertically trained canopy. It is a simple and practical format that maximises light penetration and maintains a balanced vine.
VINIFICATION
This wine comprises approximately 53% cabernet and 34% merlot, with small parcels of petit verdot and malbec making up the balance. Fruit is crushed into small open fermenters and pressed off still with a touch of sweetness. It is then transferred to French oak barriques, 10% of which are new, where it undergoes malolactic fermentation. It is held in oak for 9 months prior to bottling.
Alcohol: 14.5
pH: 3.53
Acidity: .58
Residual Sugar: 0.3
Printer Friendly Notes
2010 Cab Merlot.pdf
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