2015 Merlot

Majella Merlot 2015

Majella Merlot was first produced in 2004. Estate grown from a single vineyard, Quarry block, it is only made in exceptional years.

Winemaking

Fermentation was completed in 300 litre barrels and the wine was then aged for a further 15 months in French oak.

Vintage Conditions

From a seasonal point of view, April to July 2014 provided an excellent start with average winter rainfall which set us up for an even budburst with good soil moisture. Spring however was not typical, being very dry and one of Coonawarra's warmest, with temperatures well above average advancing flowering in November by about two weeks.

Fortunately the warm and dry flowering promoted a fast and even berry set, similar to other excellent seasons, for example: 2001, 2004 and 2010. This warm flowering provided an even maturity at harvest with no green berries. Very dry conditions continued through December, consequently berries remained small with thick skins. Ripening was set up perfectly with the vines receiving a refreshing drink of 90mm of rain in mid-January.

Coonawarra's summer, in contrast to the spring, has been a classic, with warm days and cool nights, strongly influenced by the January upwelling of the deep, cold coastal waters....around 5 degrees colder than those off Adelaide. Based on the mild summer, and consequently long ripening period, we are seeing bright fruit, varietal definitionand intense colour at moderate sugar.

Grape Variety

100% Merlot

Region

Coonawarra

Winemakers Comments

Dark damson in colour with a ruby hue. The bouquet is of cherries, plum and vanilla, with excellent red berry fruit and subtle oak integration on the palate.

Our pours are 30ml: x 3 = 1 standard drink = 100ml @ 13% alcohol.

Download Tasting Note

Download Merlot Tasting Note 358.8 kb pdf