2017 Mountadam The Red Cabernet Sauvignon Merlot Franc, Eden Valley

Mountadam The Red is a quietly confident and age worthy Bordeaux inspired blend from Eden Valley, a region far better known for Riesling but one that excels with structured, cool climate reds when site and patience align. The vineyards sit high in the Eden Valley at elevations around five hundred metres, where cooler temperatures, long growing seasons and significant diurnal shifts allow Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Cabernet Franc to ripen slowly while retaining freshness and aromatic detail. Soils of sandy loam over clay and quartz give the wine its fine tannin structure and mineral edge, setting it apart from warmer valley floor styles.

Mountadam was founded in the early 1970s by David Wynn, a pivotal figure in Australian wine history and the man behind the first commercial Eden Valley Rieslings. He believed deeply in matching variety to site, and while Riesling became Mountadam’s calling card, the estate’s red wines were always crafted with the same disciplined, European inspired mindset. Today that philosophy continues under the stewardship of the Hill Smith family, with a focus on site expression, restraint and longevity. The Red is Mountadam’s flagship red blend, assembled only in strong vintages and designed to showcase Eden Valley’s capacity for elegance and structure rather than sheer power.

In the glass the wine shows a deep crimson colour with ruby edges. Aromas unfold slowly, revealing blackcurrant, red plum and dark cherry layered with bay leaf, dried herbs, cedar and subtle graphite. The palate is medium to full bodied and finely composed, delivering cassis and dark berry fruit supported by firm yet polished tannins and a long, savoury finish carried by fresh acidity. Cabernet Sauvignon provides the backbone and drive, Merlot adds mid palate richness, and Cabernet Franc brings lift, spice and aromatic complexity. It pairs beautifully with roast beef, lamb, game and mushroom dishes, and it has the structure to age confidently for fifteen to twenty years, developing notes of tobacco, leather and forest floor while retaining its Eden Valley poise.

Mountadam The Red is a refined and quietly authoritative Australian blend, offering a distinctive take on the Bordeaux model through the lens of Eden Valley’s cool climate and long winemaking heritage.