2018 Samantha’s Paddock Mélange Traditionnel [Cabernet Blend]

Produced from an assemblage of 12 small batches. All fruit was hand-picked, hand-sorted, de-stemmed, crushed and tipped direct to open fermenters. Fermentation was undertaken via natural yeast for c. one-third of the sugar prior to inoculation with select XR-Grand Rouge and BDX yeast. Ferments hand-plunged or run-off a maximum of once per day to facilitate very gentle extraction of colour and tannin. Fermentation temperature reached a maximum of 32°C. Cuvaison length ranged from 12 to 22 days on skins. Vats were pressed individually, settled overnight then racked to fill a combination of new and seasoned premium French oak casks. All components aged as singular batches prior to blending pre-bottling.

This seventh vintage of our flagship signature red blend epitomises our commitment to honour and reflect the finest examples of the classic Cabernet Sauvignon-based wines upon which our region’s enviable reputation was forged and cemented. The excellent 2018 vintage provided a calm and extended growing season in the vein of the Yarra Valley’s signature and hallmark conditions.

This wine features aromas of cassis, loganberry, bramble, violets, vanilla bean, clove, cedar, camphor, graphite and high-end oak.The palate is supple, flavourful, ferrous, with blueberry, cranberry, wood sorrel, smoked meats, pink peppercorn and cocoa nib. It has a fine-grooved texture, with rustic yet regal tannins. It is confident, poised, elegant, with a resounding finish with profound length.

As a young wine, decanting is highly recommended. This wine is vegan friendly.