Cabernet Merlot 2008

Winery: Beelgara Estate

Region Griffith Riverina

Winemakers Rod Hooper, Danny Toaldo, Sean Hampel

Colour Crimson colour

Bouquet  dark plum and blackcurrant fruit aromas.

Palate A soft easy-to-drink style with ripe fruit fl avours and a fi rm tannin fi nish.

Cellar Short term – drink now or up to 3 years.

Analysis
Alc 13.49%, pH 3.32
Total Acid 6.36g/l
Residual Sugar 5.7g/l
Oak Treatment: French Oak

Food Match: Roast beef or rack of lamb

Vintage Report The fruit quality obtained this vintage has been very good despite challenging weather conditions. Above average rainfall in late January and early February was followed by a warm March ensuring the fast ripening, which meant we were able to obtain full ripeness in the reds.

Overall, the grape flavour profiles developed faster than that of the baumè levels allowing the winemakers to craft wines with fresher varietal  characteristics and lower alcohols.

Vinification  The fruit was machine harvested in mid March to ensure the fruit retained its integrity and structure. Grapes were destemmed and crushed into fermenters then immediately inoculated with a yeast strain designed to enhance colour and varietal character. Fermentation progressed for approximately 6 days between 20 - 25°C. shortly before ferment fi nished, draining and pressing occurred. Primary fermentation concluded in stainless steel with induced malolactic fermentation following. The wine was stabilized at 4°C then racked and coarsely fi ltered, then aged on French Oak. The parcels of cabernet and merlot were then blended to create this soft, easy to drink wine before being fi ltered again and prepared for bottling.

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