The North Face Cabernet Merlot

  Vintage:       2008                                                 To order

  Grape Variety:     Cab Sauv 70%   
                                Merlot 25%   
                                Cabernet Franc 5%

  Region:                 Yarra Valley            

  Winemaker:             Guy Lamothe



Tasting Notes:
A cabernet blend that is beautifully balanced.  It offeres up a complex nose of cigar box and dark fruit, blackcurrent, and smoky oak character.  The fruit flavours are vibrant in 08 due to good acid level and enhanced by wel-designed soft tannins.  The palaate is very rich but soft and elegant.  I think "black velvet"; you fall in love at the first mouthful.  The wine talks to you, it says, "drink me - I'm so good".  By far the best Wedgetail Cabernet Merlot to date.  Cellar for up to 12 years.

Technical details:
Bottling Date:           August 2009
Cropping Level:      1.5Tones / Acre
Oak Treatment:        20% New French Oak, Burgundian Coopers. 18 months in Barrels.
Alcohol:                   13.5%

Ferment details:
Pre maceration in open vats until ferment starts, about one week. Fermented in open vats, with indigenous yeast. Post fermentation skin maceration 4 weeks. Natural Malolactic occurs slowly through spring.

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