A precise blend of Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon and Petit Verdot, is seductive and structural without allowing any freshness to get lost along the way. A deep, vibrant purple red colour paves the way for aromas of cassis, blueberry, spices and violets. The herb-flecked palate brings tension and energy to the seamless interplay between the cabernet and the other styles, carried by ripe tannins and a smooth texture through to a long, lingering finish. Hand-picked fruit, natural fermentation and a little over a year spent in French barriques are all masterfully managed by a legendary winemaker, with the critics responding with appropriate enthusiasm. Approachable and classy now, cellaring for up to another 15 years will reward the patient drinker.
"...one of the Yarra’s most impressive merlot-based blends..."
95 points, The Real Review (February 2022)
"...finely chiselled tannins and a smooth texture across the palate..."
95 points, Wine Companion (August 2021)
"...complex, energetic, ripe and just plain lovely..."
94 points, The Wine Front (March 2021)
Yarra Valley
The Yarra Valley was first planted by the Ryrie brothers who explored a way through the Snowy Mountains to the Yarra Valley, planting grapes in 1838 just three years after the foundation of Melbourne. A wine industry (developed by Swiss Settlers particularly Hubert de Castella and Baron Guillaume de Pury in the 1850s) thrived during the gold rush era and heyday of the 19th century. However, the end of the gold rush brought the wine industry into decline and it was not until the 1970’s that the modern wine industry started up again. The region is probably Australia’s best-known cool-climate area, yet it is really a patchwork of meso-climates. This varied topography creates an incredible set of variables. Vineyards are planted on elevations of 50 to 400m on varying aspects and management programmes. The more exposed sites are subject to severe spring frosts and winds. Overall, the area experiences a relatively high rainfall pattern and is known for its temperature extremes during ripening. Site selection is crucial, with the best vineyards often located where the original vines were once planted, generally on sandy clay loams and gravels. The Yarra Valley is well known for high quality Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Cabernet Blends with Shiraz increasingly garnering attention. Sparkling wine production is also extremely important, with many of Australia’s finest examples produced in the region.
