Geoff Merrill ‘G&W’ Cabernet Sauvignon 2013
Grape Varietal: 100% Cabernet Sauvignon
Growing Region: 52% Coonawarra & 48% McLaren Vale - South Australia
Winemakers: Geoff Merrill & Scott Heidrich
5 Stars ★★★★★
When you find a skillfully crafted, well-balanced Cabernet Sauvignon from anywhere in the world, you find yourself with engaged taste-buds and a satisfied smile across your face, that you want to share. Getting Cabernet Sauvignon physiologically ripe is a challenge the world over - though Geoff, Scott and their dedicated vineyard team seem to achieve this year after year from their unique sites in the McLaren Vale and Coonawarra wine regions of South Australia.
This perfectly balanced 100% expression of Cabernet Sauvignon is a blend of fruit sourced from their 'Graymoor' vineyard located in Coonawarra and from their 'Wickham Park' vineyard situated just a short drive from the winery in McLaren Vale. The 2013 vintage was a welcome return to what could be called as a fairly classic vintage, with a relatively normal growing season with nothing too extreme to deal with. As the fruit came through unscathed and ripening continued extremely well enabling the team to pick at full flavour ripeness.
This 2013 with its 5-6 years maturation has the Geoff Merrill signature in every sip, and the ‘G&W’ white label is back to its best as a classic Cabernet Sauvignon wine to be enjoyed and shared. Geoff & Scott have a winemaking philosophy where they make wines that showcase regional, varietal and vintage expressions, without excessive intervention. Great wine is a matter of balance and their passion for detailed and harmonious flavours in wine, is well regarded.
★ In your glass you will be greeted by a deep red colour with youthful hues. On the nose your senses will be enticed by a wide range of varietal characters ranging from tomato leaf and capsicum through to red berries, mint-chocolate and olives. Along with the deft use of oak adding herbs, spice and a savoury note.
The palate has a classic balanced signature to it, with blackcurrants, and ripe berry fruits, good varietal tannins and acidity all in ideal proportions. Across the palate you have those vibrant berry fruits, infused with spice and cacao chocolate flavours and that supportive oak giving structure to this medium-to-full expression and leading you to a classic dry finish.
This 2013 Geoff Merrill ‘G&W’ Cabernet Sauvignon has 14.5% Alc./vol. Crafted in a classic dry style. No decanting required and serve in an appropriate red wine glass at 17°- 18°C.
CELLARING POTENTIAL: *(Review 27/6/2020)
Drinking perfectly well this season; plus, able to age well for another 3 - 4 years.
FOOD PAIRING SUGGESTIONS:
Perfect wine pairing with prime red meats with a wine-jus, beef-cheeks, well-seasoned meat pasta dishes, earthy vegetarian cuisine and aged hard cheeses - enjoy.
