Stella Bella Cabernet Merlot 2018

Winemaking

The Cabernet sauvignon component was held on skins for 10 days to help build the structure of the wine. The merlot was pressed earlier to retain bright fruit aromatics, while still providing mid palate sweetness. The traditional Bordelaise winemaking technique of délistage was used during maceration to provide bright aromatics while increasing oxygen in order to help with tannin polymerisation. 10% new French oak was used on this wine to complement the fruit while providing some subtle mocha and vanillin oak sweetness. The wine was held in oak for 12 months and racked and returned twice before being fined with Margaret River free range eggs, filtered and bottled.

Tasting Note

This Cabernet Merlot packs a punch! Bright and charming, the perfume of Cabernet Sauvignon strikes you first, followed swiftly by its precise and structured palate. With its partner in crime Merlot providing the palate weight, with fruit generosity and richness. Violets, satsuma plums and glazed cherries lift out of the glass in an explosive fashion. Followed by aromas of red currants, raspberries and subtle vanillin oak with a hint of smokiness. Juicy, medium bodied and full of flavour. Red currants, cherries and blueberries fill the palate complemented by the dusty fine-grained tannin and precise structure. The refreshing acidity balances the supple tannin and red fruits for an extremely smash-able wine that leaves you wanting more.

Food Matching

Red meat. Simple!