Red Wines

 

SHIRAZ is the most widely planted grape variety in Australia. It currently represents 40% of the total red grape crush and constitutes 20% of all wine grape production in Australia. Offering a range of styles often defined by the terroir of the region no other grape has such a uniquely Australian character.

  With its soft ripe tannins, it can be crafted into wines suitable for immediate consumption or by the artistry of the winemaker, sculptured into a wine with longevity that show layers of intoxicating complexity with age.

Ranging from softer styles with ripe blackberry, plums, licorice and distinctive black pepper tones to fuller bodied wines, packed with flavours of spice, plum, blueberry, and chocolate where oak and alcohol form an integral part of the sensory appeal. It is without doubt Australia's flagship variety, both domestically and internationally.

  

Australia produces a distinct array of Cabernet styles, with climate having a significant impact on the sensory characteristics of the variety. The underlying characters common to all CABERNET SAUVIGNON  is drying, mouth puckering tannins which whether combined with the minty and leafy characters intermingled with blackcurrant and red berries from cooler climates or  the chocolate and tobacco characters expressed in warmer climates, the end result are wines unlike any others found throughout the world.

A classic Australian blend is that of Cabernet and Shiraz. Fleshy Shiraz fruit weaves itself into Cabernets framework, producing a wine with fabulous structure and flavour. But whether it's a component of a blend, or a stand-alone varietal, the quality and character of Cabernet Sauvignon shines through.

 

MERLOT is most famous in its homeland of Bordeaux in France, where it is used to make some of the world's greatest and most expensive wines. It is most suited to  appellations of Pomerol and St Emilion, and with its characteristic fleshy, supple mid-palate its inclusion improves the balance and structure of a wine Cabernet dominant wines in the appellations of the Medoc.

It is a versatile variety, playing an important role in blends as well as being successful as a straight varietal. When seen on its own, it will be full of attractive primary fruit flavours of plums, red currant, mint, pimento, game, earth and leather. Its tannins are invariably soft and velvety making Merlot a good early drinking style

Merlot makes a perfect partner for Cabernet Sauvignon.