2021 Murdoch Hill Red Blend - Cabernet Sauvignon Merlot - Adelaide Hills SA
A blend of 60% Cabernet Sauvignon and 20% Merlot (plus 15% Sangiovese and 5% Syrah) from Murdoch Hill’s Oakbank and Lenswood vineyards in the Adelaide Hills respectively. The grapes are sourced from predominately east-facing slopes, which avoid the harsh afternoon sun and produce cool, savoury wines with more finesse. The soil structure here is predominately sandy loam over medium clay, with varying levels of ironstone, quartz and schist rock. Whole bunches were hand-harvested, then de-stemmed into open fermenters before extended maceration on skins for two to four weeks, allowing Michael Downer to build in layers and sculpt a soft tannin profile. The wine was matured in fine French barriques (20% new) for 10 months before bottling.
"Aromas of red cherries, ground cooking spice, dried herbs and bark. Medium- to full-bodied with silky, fruit-soaked tannins. Rather expressive and bright with driving acidity and lovely spicy complexity. Lingering and steady. Drink or hold. Screw cap."
93 points, jamessuckling.com
A blend of 60% Cabernet Sauvignon and 20% Merlot (plus 15% Sangiovese and 5% Syrah) from Murdoch Hill’s Oakbank and Lenswood vineyards in the Adelaide Hills respectively. The grapes are sourced from predominately east-facing slopes, which avoid the harsh afternoon sun and produce cool, savoury wines with more finesse. The soil structure here is predominately sandy loam over medium clay, with varying levels of ironstone, quartz and schist rock. Whole bunches were hand-harvested, then de-stemmed into open fermenters before extended maceration on skins for two to four weeks, allowing Michael Downer to build in layers and sculpt a soft tannin profile. The wine was matured in fine French barriques (20% new) for 10 months before bottling.
"Aromas of red cherries, ground cooking spice, dried herbs and bark. Medium- to full-bodied with silky, fruit-soaked tannins. Rather expressive and bright with driving acidity and lovely spicy complexity. Lingering and steady. Drink or hold. Screw cap."
93 points, jamessuckling.com
A blend of 60% Cabernet Sauvignon and 20% Merlot (plus 15% Sangiovese and 5% Syrah) from Murdoch Hill’s Oakbank and Lenswood vineyards in the Adelaide Hills respectively. The grapes are sourced from predominately east-facing slopes, which avoid the harsh afternoon sun and produce cool, savoury wines with more finesse. The soil structure here is predominately sandy loam over medium clay, with varying levels of ironstone, quartz and schist rock. Whole bunches were hand-harvested, then de-stemmed into open fermenters before extended maceration on skins for two to four weeks, allowing Michael Downer to build in layers and sculpt a soft tannin profile. The wine was matured in fine French barriques (20% new) for 10 months before bottling.
"Aromas of red cherries, ground cooking spice, dried herbs and bark. Medium- to full-bodied with silky, fruit-soaked tannins. Rather expressive and bright with driving acidity and lovely spicy complexity. Lingering and steady. Drink or hold. Screw cap."
93 points, jamessuckling.com
