2024 Amelia Park Cabernet Merlot, Margaret River

Amelia Park Cabernet Merlot from Margaret River is a polished, fruit detailed and quietly powerful blend that captures the region’s classic combination of gravelly soils, cool ocean winds and long, even ripening. The fruit comes from vineyards in Wilyabrup and Wallcliffe, where ironstone rich gravel provides natural drainage and encourages the kind of small, concentrated berries that Cabernet and Merlot thrive on. Winemaker Jeremy Gordon crafts the wine with a gentle hand: hand selection, cool fermentation for vibrancy, careful tannin management and maturation in fine French oak to add structure and savoury complexity without hiding the fruit.

The aromatics show cassis, mulberry and dark plum alongside redcurrant, bay leaf and a lift of violet. Subtle cedar, graphite and cocoa dust give the nose a classic Margaret River shape, while earthy spice nods to the Merlot component. With air, the bouquet deepens into tobacco leaf, sandalwood and a whisper of black olive.

The palate is medium to full bodied with silky texture and beautifully knit tannins. Blackcurrant, plum and cherry flow through the mid palate, guided by bright acidity and a firm but refined structure. Notes of dark chocolate, cedar, subtle clove and a clean mineral edge stretch into a long, balanced finish. The wine is delicious young yet capable of developing gracefully over eight to ten years, gaining tobacco, dried herb and savoury depth.

Perfect with roast lamb, grilled beef, mushroom ragù, venison, hard cheeses or slow cooked dishes that match its elegance and quiet power. It is a standout example of how Cabernet Merlot from Margaret River can be both refined and deeply satisfying.