Chestnut Grove have harnessed the electric qualities of their now famous Merlot wines, loved by all and sundry, to create this most stylish of West Australian blends. A mostly Cabernet
(56%) Cuvee with a lesser component of good Merlot fruit
(43%) and a judicious tot of Petit Verdot, sourced exclusively from the mature
(over twenty years old) Chestnut Grove vineyard at Manjimup. A mighty vintage for the region and for Chestnut Grove, which has kept production of this silken wine to a mere thousand cases.
A programme of limiting crop load and irrigation together with canopy management to achieve 80-100% light exposure in the fruit zone ensures intensity of flavour, body and colour in a cool climatic region. The fruit is crushed to small open fermenters and then undergoes a cold pre-fermentation maceration for 24-36 hours. During fermentation, management is achieved with a combination of hand plunging, pumping over and rack and returns at critical stages in the fermentation. The oak regime was 30% new, 70% 1 year old French oak sourced from three selected cooperages which fully complement the fruit. All barrels and wine batches are assessed individually with only the best barrels making the final cut. Alcohol 14.5%
TASTING NOTESDeep red with crimson hues. The aromas are laden with red currant, plum, chocolate and a sweet herbaceous mint character with spicy biscuity oak to compliment the lifted perfume. The palate displays complex blackcurrant and subtle menthol with fruit cake and vanilla bean flavours. A wine of great weight and depth of flavour with fine, mouth coating tannins.