A medium bodied and mid crimson red wine with vibrant pale ruby hues. Stewed plums, rhubarb, earthy, musky, orange zest, petrichor (fresh rain on concrete), dried bay leaf, currants, sweet cedar nose,  some hints of dried herbs. Ripe cranberry, and fresh tomato paste flavours powdery tannins with bright acidity and juicy mid palate with some savoury umami flavours. Pair with lamb, chorizo, pizza and paella dishes.

The style of Cabernet Merlot we are making at Fraser Gallop Estate is a wine that has greater freshness from a short time on skins and short barrel maturation and good concentration of flavour that comes naturally from dry grown Cabernet Sauvignon in the blend. The result is a sumptuous blend that drinks well early however can be cellared for a short period of 4-6 years.

The blending of Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot has been proven in Margaret River’s short history and elsewhere, such as Bordeaux where the blend originated. The varieties work so well because structural tannins of Cabernet are tamed by the inherent mid-palate richness and softness of the Merlot grape.

59% Cabernet Sauvignon, 28% Merlot, 7% Cabernet Franc and 6% Petit Verdot

Review

"A hand-picked 59/28% blend (with small amounts of cabernet franc and petit verdot) of destemmed, whole berries, 10 to 14 days on skins; matured for nine months in used French barriques. It’s succulent and juicy, awash with cassis, soft tannins quietly holding the wine’s shape."

-2023 James Halliday Top 100 wines under $40