2016 Amelia Park Cabernet Merlot, Margaret River

Margaret River first won acclaim for consistently high quality of its Cabernet Sauvignon. It modelled itself on Bordeaux with virtually every winery producing a Cabernet with Merlot being a common blend component. The cabernet merlot style has evolved over the decades, The common threads are ripe grapes that provide a sweet core to all the wines, which are never leafy or herbal, and often with slightly earthy or gravelly tannins. These latter characteristics are very much a product of the local terroir, which provides complexity, authority and structure.

 The Wilyabrup sub-region of Margaret River is predominantly sourced for Amelia Park wines. Consistent and rich fruit flavours provide subtle and elegant aromatics and fine tannins.

A considerable number of parcels go into making our Cabernet Merlot blend. A number of picks occur starting in the northern areas of Margaret River and working our way south over a couple of months. Each parcel is machine harvested during the cool of the night and transferred to static fermenters for a controlled and cool primary fermentation. After primary ferment each parcel is carefully pressed off. These parcels are kept separate and sent to a mix of new, second and third use French barrels for secondary ferment and maturation for twelve months

This wine is a blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot with portions of Malbec and Petit Verdot adding complexity. It has a perfumed nose of redcurrant, violets and cloves. The palate is seamless, displaying superb fruit intensity with fine tannins supporting a long elegant structure. Aged in French oak for twelve months.