Cabernets Shiraz Merlot 2008

Published on June 15, 2011

tasting notes

Deep red colour, ripe dark fruits on the nose -
blackberry, a little blackcurrant and savoury notes
from spicy oak. Full-bodied palate with concentrated
flavour and plenty of weight, yet with fine dry tannins
giving an impression of elegance. Very good length

best drinking

2011 - 2016 or more

accolades

  • Gold medal International Wine Challenge, Vienna 2010.
  • 89/100 James Halliday Wine Companion 2012

vineyard

Sarsfield Estate Vineyard is located in the Lakes and Wilderness area of East Gippsland, Victoria.
All grapes used are exclusively estate-grown.

vintage

After 320 mm of rain in June, spring growth started slowly in the cold and waterlogged soil. Summer was cool and we had some good rainfalls.
But before we could pick even the early varieties the temperatures suddenly soared and 3 days with 40 Degrees and more did a lot of damage to the grapes. Selective picking saved part of the crop, but this was a much smaller than usual vintage.
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winemaking

The 2008 Sarsfield Estate Cabernets Shiraz Merlot is a single vineyard blend of 37% Cabernet Sauvignon, 17% Cabernet Franc, 26% Shiraz , and 20% Merlot. Grapes were fermented in open vats and pressed in a hand-operated wooden press. The wine has been matured for 18 months in French oak barrels.
Alcohol: 14.2%, Titr. Acidity: 6.0 g/L, pH 3.44.