Cabernet Merlot
For information regarding previous vintages please contact the winery on info@foresterestate.com.au
Forester Cabernet Merlot
Order Online
2009 Cabernet Merlot
RRP: $21.99
Online Price: $18.70 per bottle
Tasting Notes
| Grape Variety | 52% Cabernet Sauvignon, 42% Merlot, 5% Petit Verdot, 1% Cabernet Franc |
| Vintage | 2009 |
| Oak maturation | 100% of the wine is aged in French oak barriques (15% new) for 18 months |
| Alcohol | 13.5% Alc/Vol |
| Release date | September 2011 |
| Peak drinking | Already well integrated the wine is ready for early drinking however it has the structure and concentration to benefit from 5-8 years cellaring |
| Food matches | Meat dishes, saucy pastas and cheeses |
| Colour | Medium to deep red with a red/purple hue |
| Aroma | Rich and complex, showing good concentration with sweet earth, currants, blueberries and red berries. The cedar oak is well balanced and integrated. There is a lifted perfumed character reminiscent of potpourri along with classic Margaret River dusty/leafiness. |
| Palate | The palate is full with a fleshy texture provided by Merlot along with a fine grain tannin firmness provided by the Cabernet. Sweet berries and currants dominate with more complex notes of dusty earth, leaf and cedar oak. The wine finishes firm with lingering currant and red berries. |
Awards & Achievements
2009 Cabernet Merlot
Gold Medal – Royal Melbourne Wine Show 2011
2008 Cabernet Merlot
Gold Medal – Australian Small Winemakers Show 2010
Silver Medal – Qantas Wine Show 2010
Bronze Medal – International Wine Challenge 2011
Bronze Medal – International Wine & Spirits Comp 2010
Bronze Medal – Royal Melbourne Wine Show 2010
Bronze Medal – Royal Adelaide Wine Show 2010
Bronze Medal – Rutherglen Wine Show 2010
Bronze Medal – Cowra Wine Show 2010
Bronze Medal – Perth Royal Wine Show 2010
3 Stars – Winestate Magazine, New Release Tasting 2010
2007 Cabernet Merlot
4 stars, Huon Hooke, Gourmet Traveller WINE Oct 2009
90 points, Gary Walsh: The Wine Front
87 points, Ray Jordan: WA Wine Guide 2010
Bronze Medal – Sydney Royal Wine Show 2010
Bronze Medal – Rutherglen Agricultural Wine Show 2009
Bronze Medal – Royal Melbourne Wine Show 2009
2006 Cabernet Merlot
Bronze Medal – Ray Jordan’s WA Wine Guide 2009
2005 Cabernet Merlot
4 1/2 stars, Ray Jordan’s WA Wine Guide 2007
Silver Medal – Qantas Wine Show WA 2007
Bronze Medal – Margaret River Wine Show 2007
Bronze Medal – Royal Adelaide Wine Show 2008
Bronze Medal – Royal Melbourne Wine Show 2007
Bronze Medal – Vintage Cellars National Wine Show 2007
2004 Cabernet Merlot
Silver Medal – Scoop Magazine 2005
Bronze Medal – Margaret River Wine Show 2005
2003 Cabernet Merlot
Bronze Medal – Royal Adelaide Wine Show 2004
86 points, Ray Jordan, Guide to Wine 05/06
2002 Cabernet Merlot
Silver Medal – Royal Perth Wine Show 2003
Bronze Medal – Wine Show of Western Australia 2003
94 points Top 100 – Adelaide Advertiser
James Halliday Wine Companion
2008 Cabernet Merlot 93 Points
2007 Cabernet Merlot 90 Points
2005 Cabernet Merlot 90 Points
2004 Cabernet Merlot 90 Points
2003 Cabernet Merlot 87 Points
2002 Cabernet Merlot 88 Points
Order Online
2008 Cabernet Merlot
RRP: $21.99
Online Price: $18.70 per bottle
Winemaker Comments
Viticulture
Fruit is sourced from neighbouring properties in the most northern sub-region of Margaret River (Yallingup). Meticulous management of bud numbers and shoot thinning continues to ensure a balanced canopy and full fruit ripeness. The summer of 2008/2009 was as close to ideal ripening conditions as Margaret River experiences. Not as warm or early as the previous year the fruit was harvested at closer to typical dates. This allowed a few extra weeks for complete tannin development in the skins and seeds of Cabernet Sauvignon in particular. Varieties came off in an orderly manner and the winery staff were treated to a ‘text book’ vintage.
Winemaking
Each parcel of fruit was gently crushed into small open fermenters with traditional heading down boards where fermentation was carried out under strict temperature controlled conditions. Gentle extraction
(a Forester Estate style) was achieved by daily draining of wine away from skins and returning back over. The wine was pressed to tank where 100% was sent to new and older French oak barriques to complete the primary and malo-lactic ferment.
Storage / Bottling
After 18 months of ageing, the wine was carefully blended to achieve this friendly Margaret River style. Bottled in a premium claret bottle using a screwcap closure. This closure will ensure the wine retains its youth and fruit integrity.