Product details

2013 Cabernet Merlot

2013 Cabernet Merlot

2013 Cabernet Merlot

Coonawarra, South Australia

Rich and structured, with dense fruit and fine grain tannins.

    James Haliiday Wine Companion 2016
    James Haliiday Wine Companion 2016
    94 / 100
    “An 82/18% blend from three cabernet and two merlot vineyards; matured for 16 months in French oak (50% new). Excellent crimson-purple; the bouquet is aromatic and inviting, the palate with a balance of blackcurrant, mulberry, black olive and herbs, oak adding its own flavour as a bonus.” Drink to 2028
    The Wine Front - Gary Walsh
    The Wine Front - Gary Walsh
    92 / 100
    “I’m not smug about these things, but I’ve often heard people say they think ‘Cabernet Merlot’ is a type of grape, as is ‘Semillon Sauvignon Blanc’. Blackberry, blackcurrant, vanilla, chocolate and olives. Its medium bodied, delivers red and black fruit flavour with a savoury twist, plump and grainy tannin, some vanilla mouth-perfume, and a firm long finish. Very good.”
    The Weekend West - Ray Jordan
    The Weekend West - Ray Jordan
    92 / 100
    “Beautiful blended red from Coonawarra. Smooth and seamlessly structured with fine, silky tannins and super-fine oak playing their part. Leafy and cedary notes with intense, classically Coonawarra dark fruits. Already showing a degree of complexity with a lingering finish.”

    Wine Details

    • Region Coonawarra, South Australia
    • Vintage 2013
    • Type Red Wine
    • Variety Cabernet Merlot
    • Volume 750ml
    • Alcohol Volume 14.5%
    • PH

      3.46

    • Standard Drinks 8.6
    • Acidity

      6.41 G/L

    • Closure ScrewCap
    • Harvest Date

      14th - 28th March 2013

    • Background

      The Balnaves Coonawarra Vineyard was established in 1975, and is situated at the southern end of the Coonawarra Terra Rossa strip. The family, which has been associated with the district since 1855, remains fully committed to a high level of ‘hands-on” involvement.

    • Vineyard Notes

      Vintage 2013 was generally mild with one hot period. Blended from Cabernet Sauvignon (82%) principally from our Walker, Quarry and Dead Morris vineyards, with Merlot (18%) from Avery and Rise. Walker Cabernet, the largest component, was harvested using berry sorting technology prior to ferment.

    • Winemaking

      Matured for 16 months in new (50%) and used French oak prior to bottling in October 2014.

    • Tasting Notes

      Deep red in colour, the nose is dense with complex dark cassis, and blueberry fruit, integrated with fine cedary oak. The palate is rich and structured, with dense fruit and fine grain tannins.

    • Peak Drinking / Cellaring Potential

      This wine will reward careful cellaring and we recommend decanting before drinking.

    James Haliiday Wine Companion 2016
    James Haliiday Wine Companion 2016
    94 / 100
    “An 82/18% blend from three cabernet and two merlot vineyards; matured for 16 months in French oak (50% new). Excellent crimson-purple; the bouquet is aromatic and inviting, the palate with a balance of blackcurrant, mulberry, black olive and herbs, oak adding its own flavour as a bonus.” Drink to 2028
    The Wine Front - Gary Walsh
    The Wine Front - Gary Walsh
    92 / 100
    “I’m not smug about these things, but I’ve often heard people say they think ‘Cabernet Merlot’ is a type of grape, as is ‘Semillon Sauvignon Blanc’. Blackberry, blackcurrant, vanilla, chocolate and olives. Its medium bodied, delivers red and black fruit flavour with a savoury twist, plump and grainy tannin, some vanilla mouth-perfume, and a firm long finish. Very good.”
    The Weekend West - Ray Jordan
    The Weekend West - Ray Jordan
    92 / 100
    “Beautiful blended red from Coonawarra. Smooth and seamlessly structured with fine, silky tannins and super-fine oak playing their part. Leafy and cedary notes with intense, classically Coonawarra dark fruits. Already showing a degree of complexity with a lingering finish.”

    Wine Details

    • Region Coonawarra, South Australia
    • Vintage 2013
    • Type Red Wine
    • Variety Cabernet Merlot
    • Volume 750ml
    • Alcohol Volume 14.5%
    • PH

      3.46

    • Standard Drinks 8.6
    • Acidity

      6.41 G/L

    • Closure ScrewCap
    • Harvest Date

      14th - 28th March 2013

    • Background

      The Balnaves Coonawarra Vineyard was established in 1975, and is situated at the southern end of the Coonawarra Terra Rossa strip. The family, which has been associated with the district since 1855, remains fully committed to a high level of ‘hands-on” involvement.

    • Vineyard Notes

      Vintage 2013 was generally mild with one hot period. Blended from Cabernet Sauvignon (82%) principally from our Walker, Quarry and Dead Morris vineyards, with Merlot (18%) from Avery and Rise. Walker Cabernet, the largest component, was harvested using berry sorting technology prior to ferment.

    • Winemaking

      Matured for 16 months in new (50%) and used French oak prior to bottling in October 2014.

    • Tasting Notes

      Deep red in colour, the nose is dense with complex dark cassis, and blueberry fruit, integrated with fine cedary oak. The palate is rich and structured, with dense fruit and fine grain tannins.

    • Peak Drinking / Cellaring Potential

      This wine will reward careful cellaring and we recommend decanting before drinking.