VINEYARD Merchant Cabernet Sauvignon is sourced from a single vineyard that was planted on the Kalleske property at the end of last century. The hand-pruned vines are low-yielding and are grown in shallow, sandy loam soil over superb deep red clay, providing ideal conditions for Cabernet Sauvignon.  

WINEMAKINGThe grapes were picked on April 7th and then destemmed into an open top fermenter. The must was fermenter for ten days on skins with hand pump-overs twice a day. After pressing off skins the Cabernet was filled to a mix of 30% new and the balance used French oak hogsheads, where the wine underwent natural malolactic fermentation. The Cabernet was matured in barrel for fourteen months prior to bottling.    

TASTING NOTES Merchant Cabernet 2014 is bright red-purple in colour. There are inviting aromatics of blackcurrant, cedar, aniseed, dark chocolate and cherry. The palate is medium bodied with varietal juicy fruit. Tannins are prominent but very fine adding definition, structure and age-worthiness. Integrated oak adds complexity. A lengthy finish completes a classic Barossa Cabernet that can be equally enjoyed now or in a decade.