2012 Wilyabrup Cabernet Merlot, Cabernet Franc

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A unique expression of the traditional cabernet blend, hand-picked from amongst the oldest vines in the Wilyabrup sub-region of Margaret River. This wine captures the unique synergy of site, varieties and vintage to create a wine with exceptional vibrancy or character for which this area is so highly regarded. Luscious dark fruits with great density and characteristic fine gravely tannins are the hallmarks of this unique sub-region.

Appearance

Deep crimson red.

Nose

Dutch cocoa, aged tobacco, satsuma, plums and black currants with hints of violets and mint.

Palate

A deep flavoured and intense wine with abundant ripe plums, currants and liquorice balanced by touches of tobacco and chocolate. The tight gravelly tannins provide length and shape to the palate carrying the fruit flavours to provide a long and elegant finish.

Blend

43% cabernet sauvignon, 33% merlot, 24% cabernet franc.

Cellaring

20+ years.

Food Pairing Notes

Wagyu beef tataki with ponzu and porcini oil.

Show Technical Notes and Reviews

The Vineyard

Sourced from two well established vineyards from within the locality of Wilyabrup in Margaret River. This area exhibits the classic gravelly lateritic soils that drain to the west and the microclimate is strongly infl uenced by the Indian ocean only 5km away. These vineyards are cane pruned, hand harvested with the three varieties managed and harvested individually to maximise varietal character and complexity.

The Season

The 2012 vintage was noted by above average summer temperatures and average rainfall. What resulted was a steady ripening period leading up to a hot January and an early start to the harvest. Mild temperatures throughout February and March ensured fruit harvested in perfect condition and completed by early April prior to heavy late April rains.

Winemaking

After destemming, individual berry sorting and light crushing, individual vineyard batches were fermented on skins for up to 30 days. At the desired balance of fruit and tannin extraction, each batch was gently basket pressed, with harder pressings kept aside. The individual parcels are racked to oak following pressing for malolactic fermentation. Regular rackings over a 16 month period ensure the individual wines are at their best prior to blending. The wines matured in selected Bordeaux coopered barriques of which 40% were new with the balance being one year old. The fi nal blend was completed in August 2013 and bottled in October.

Analysis

13.5% alcohol, 6.0 g/l total acidity, 3.45 pH.

Top 100 Australian Wine Vintages

Rob Geddes MW

This vintage has been selected by Australia’s longest running wine guide, AUSTRALIAN WINE VINTAGES, as one of the top 100 Australian wines of 2016, for its outstanding synthesis of variety, region and style.

Australian Wine Companion

James Halliday

A 45/33/24% blend of cabernet sauvignon, merlot and cabernet franc, destemmed and berry-sorted, then fermented for up to 30 days; matured in French barriques (40% new) for 16 months. A high-toned, savoury wine with plum, tobacco and cedar in play, the tannins fine, the balance is impeccable.

The West Australian Wine Guide 2016

Ray Jordan

This is a blend of cabernet sauvignon, merlot and cabernet franc from a single vineyard in the northern Wilyabrup region. There is a deep complexity in here with medium to full palate providing the perfect platform to express the beautiful texture and fruit flavours. It’s so smooth and silky yet there is power and richness. Lovely the distinctive meaty blackcurrant characters that seem to come from this vineyard.

Decanter

Top Western Australia Cabernets & blends 2012

Well-tempered, tightly coiled and classically elegant. Effortlessly crafted and exceedingly persistent, a second label with the longevity, self-assurance and poise of many premier wines.

The Australian Wine Annual 2015

Jeremy Oliver

An elegant, dusty and faintly sappy blend of charming length and harmony. An intense fragrance of violets, red flowers, forest berries, fresh cedar/vanilla oak overlies nuances of graphite and dried herbs. It's medium to full-bodied, smooth and seamless, with a pristine expression of dark berries, plums and cherries knit with polished cedary oak and underpinned by pliant, fine-grained tannins, building intensity and structure towards its long, savoury and faintly mineral finish.

The wine Front August 2014

Gary Walsh

From an unofficial sub-region, as yet not trademarked. 43% Cabernet Sauvignon, 33% Merlot, 24% Cabernet Franc. It’s a lighter, more perfumed style for sure. Less of the thunder, more of the cirrus with picnics below. Redcurrant, sweet grass, rolling tobacco and mint, plum skin, cocoa and cocoa butter. Medium bodied, fresh and playful with mainly red fruits, aniseed and cocoa, lovely fine acidity and a light rasp of fine grained gravelly tannin. I thought it was a kind of Lexus at first, and then its charm grew on me. It has length. And a sort of suave appeal. Should cellar very well too.

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