2024 Freycinet Cabernet Merlot, East Coast Tasmania

Freycinet Vineyard was the first commercial vineyard and winery on the East Coast of Tasmania. Former Sydneysiders Geoff and Susan Bull planted their first vines in 1979 near Bicheno, with the first wines produced in 1983. Their daughter Lindy is today continuing the work with her partner Claudio Radenti, with the third generation already learning the ropes. The family currently cultivates four vineyards, all within kilometres of the original site. All wines are made on-site from estate grown fruit.

This blend of old-vine Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot hails from the original vineyard, a north facing, protected and gently sloping four-hectare amphitheatre with shallow, stony and free draining soils with clay-loam texture. Tasmania has so far been marginal territory for Cabernet, but the 2024 season was warm and dry, with Cabernet reaching optimal ripeness. Generous flavours are the hallmark of the vintage. The handpicked fruit was further sorted at the winery and destemmed prior to fermentation. Extended post-ferment maceration was followed by 24 months in French oak barriques. The final blend includes 55% Cabernet Sauvignon, 35% Merlot and 10% Cabernet Franc.

Deeply coloured, the wine opens with expressive aromas of red and black fruit supported by notes of warm herbs, cedar, tapenade and violets. Medium-bodied, the wine shows smooth and concentrated fruit, supported by cedar and light leafy notes. Ample fine tannins and a long finish.

A dinner party wine that sits well with mushroom and black bean tacos or charcoal-grilled beef topped with a vibrant Spanish-style salsa verde.

This wine will reward a few more years in the bottle. Allow generous time with air if you open the wine on release and balance the tannins with an extra pinch of salt in the food.