2023 'Blue Cutting Road' Cabernet Sauvignon Merlot

Cabernet Sauvignon Merlot

Clare Valley

Red meat

2023

Deep ruby.

Lifted notes of blackberry and blackcurrant, with hints of tomato leaf, cinnamon and anise.

Soft fleshy palate with black pepper, bramble, black tea, and cassis. Chalky tannins, soft acidity, balanced and persistent.

Drink now or cellar for 10+ years.

Quality soils are the thumbprint of all great wines. Grey loam acid soils over sandstone and slate make up the profile of both the Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot vineyards, with much of the top soil littered with rock, hinting at just how tough the vines need to be to sustain growth and produce quality fruit - not the mention the vigneron to ensure overall balance. 2012 marked the first year of NASAA Organic Certification for these vineyards.

In the late 1890s, Blue Cutting Road was hand-dug by Polish settlers while waiting for gainful employment. The road is situated in the area known today as the Polish Hill River region of the Clare Valley. Not only does it remain a usable summer bush track connecting two main roads, it also dissects the two vineyards that provide the valuable, flavoursome fruit for this wine.

These varieties are blended at the crusher. Small batch fermented in four tonne fermenters over a 12 day period using natural yeast and hand-plunged. Again, a percentage of whole bunch fruit is used in the open fermenters. The wine is left on skins post-fermentation for an additional 15 days, enhancing tannin complexity. Pressed and racked to oak after four days for a total of two years.

Alcohol - 14.5%

pH - 3.40

Acidity - 6.6g/L