Geppetto 2010 Cabernet Merlot

Fruit

Fruit for this wine was grown on the Mornington Peninsula. It is a blend of 60% Cabernet and 40% Merlot.

Harvest

The grapes were harvested in mid April.

Winemaking

The grapes were destemmed without crushing to open fermenters where they were allowed to commence ferment naturally with indigenous yeast. Each fermenter was hand plunged twice per day and pumped over once - ultimately the wine was on skins for a period of three weeks. Soon after "dryness" the wine was pressed to a mixture of one and two year old French Barriques where the malolactic ferment took place. The wine was then stored in these barrels with occasional barrel to barrel rackings for clarification for a total period of 16 months. In June 2011 the wine was assembled in tank and filtered in preparation for bottling.

Bottling

July 2011.
Sealed under screw cap.

Technical information

Alc. Vol.13.5%

Residual sugar: dry

Ph: 3.55

Total acidity: 6.46 grams per litre.

Tasting notes

Cabernet Merlot as a blend is making something of a comeback at the moment and deserves still more recognition than it currently gets as a wine style. The Cabernet component gives the wine firmness and authority and the Merlot brings a soft approachability. The nose is like a basket of mixed red berries and the palate is soft and gentle without harsh or astringent tannins. The acid is noticeable which makes this wine such a good accompaniment to grills and braises or firm cheeses.

Cellaring

Enjoy now or cellar until 2015 for peak maturity.