2017 Estate Cabernet Sauvignon Merlot

winemaker's note

This is one of the best wines that Deep Woods Estate makes and the one that I cellar for special occasions – and also drink it on a Tuesday with pizza.

Julian Langworthy, Chief Winemaker

colour

Deep crimson with purple hues.

aroma

Brimming with aromas of dark fruits, chocolate and bay leaf.

palate

Full and rich with notes of dark chocolate, liquorice and cassis. Ripe tannin abounds the palate and provides both structure and length.

cellaring

This wine may be enjoyed on release but will find further complexity over 3–4 years from vintage.

vintage

The summer of 2017 was atypically cool which ensured that both Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot ripened slowly and picking choices weren’t rushed. Both varieties are planted on free-draining soils that allow for naturally low yields and balanced flavours. A dry April ensured maximum flavour and tannin ripeness were achieved. The parcels of Cabernet Sauvignon chosen for this wine were elegant and generous of flavour, gently structured, had fine tannin, great balance and length. Merlot from the 2017 vintage showed lovely fruit richness and spice.

winemaking

Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot were crushed in static fermenters. Pump-overs and delestage (rack and return) were used to extract fine tannin and colour. After 12–16 days, depending on the fruit, parcels were then pressed off before completing primary ferment in a tank. The wine was then racked into tight grain, thin stave Bordelaise French oak barriques, 35% of which were new, for 18–20 months.

region

Margaret River

varieties

Cabernet
Merlot

analysis

• Alcohol: 14.5%
• pH: 3.44
• TA:  6.7 g/L

royal perth wine show 2019

royal queenslad wine show 2019

margaret river wine show 2019

china wine & spirits awards 2019

global cabernet sauvignon masters 2019

sydney royal wine show 2019 

Halliday Wine Companion 2020

Bright purple-red, lifted, ripe black and red fruit, a hint of leaf plus assertive cedary-spice from French barriques. The acidity is just right and working with the fine-grained tannins to produce a long savoury finish. Ticking all the boxes. Quality young Margaret River cabernet with a long future. 95 Points

95

Gary Walsh, The Wine Front, 2019

Black fruit, dark mint chocolate, tobacco and pencilly oak. Full-bodied, plenty of deep flavour and gravelly tannin, a succulence of fruit, but dark chocolate and savoury stuff to balance. Finish is long and dry, thick but ripe tannin shaping it up. Really good. Tannin a highlight. 93 Points

93