Introduction
One of the two great red varieties of Bordeaux. Merlot can, when produced in this manner be a wonderful varietal to be enjoyed in a variety of culinary and social settings. At Mount Cathedral Vineyards, low yields and unique viticultural conditions combine to create Merlot like few others to be found in Australia.
Hand pruned, hand picked and wines hand crafted with the attention that only a small, dedicated producer can provide. No pesticides are used and no systemic chemicals are used on our vines. At harvest the fruit is hand picked into small picking baskets and immediately processed in our winery in a basket press. The red wines are fermented in small one tonne open fermenters where they are hand plunged until dryness. The wine is then racked to French oak barriques, where malo-lactic fermentation is induced. The red wines are matured in these French oak barriques for 18 to 22 months. The wines are racked 4 times during this maturation period and are only given a light filtration prior to bottling. Throughout these processes the wines are moved from vessel to vessel gently via gravity feed. Pumps are only used at bottling stage.

Tasting notes
Medium red in colour. Black cherry and spice aromas. On the palate more cherry as well as plum. Smooth, fine tannins and a subtle savoury finish. Great with subtly spiced lamb or pork dishes.

Vintage comments
2004 is considered a difficult year in Victorian viticulture because of the onset of early Autumn rains which spoiled the production of many later ripening red varieties. However, our Merlot grapes were picked just in time. Just as the final load of fruit arrived in the winery for processing, the heavens opened up and delivered what was to be a drought relieving burst of water to this parched land.

Technical Details

Bottle: $22.00

Case: $240.00