John Riddoch established the seminal Coonawarra Fruit Colony at his property on the orginal Katnook estate in 1890, founding one of the world's great winegrowing districts. The Merlot for today's Founder's Block is sourced from vines grown on sites right around the original property, to slightly more recent plantings. An attractive medium bodied wine with an enticing nose of currants plum and red plum, eloquent aromas with earthy, savoury notes, gentle oak and supple tannins. A plush, well rounded palate, just what you want from good Merlot.

Katnook Founder's Block are named after the original land holding of John Riddoch, founder of the Coonawarra. Fruit is collated from choice Merlot vineyards. The idyllic growing conditions which surround Coonawarra's terra rosa soils translate into full bodied, refreshing red wines of vigour and deep varietal complexion. Charged with the aim of retaining the clear regional characters, the Katnook team endeavours to vinify the grapes as plainly as possible, allowing the rich Merlot fruit to speak for itself. Treated to a minimum exposure under oak, one component is filled to a selection of French and American barriques for a term, contributing subtle complexity.