Leconfield Coonawarra Merlot 2019

Coonawarra, South Australia. Full bright dark ruby red. Ripe, fragrant nose showing cinnamon and cloves overlaying cherry fruit. This is a flavorsome Merlot with a full flavor of ripe plums and round, long tannins that provide persistence and length. It retains elegance and finesse.

CELLARING POTENTIAL

Beautifully finessed for youthful enjoyment and well structured for complexity over 8-10 years.

WINEMAKING NOTES

We are fortunate to have mature Merlot vines planted from 1982 to 1999, a significant proportion of which is dry grown. Supporting this fruit is a block of newer clones (R8 and Q45-14) which produce small berry size producing intense colour and a deeper flavour profile. Fermentation on skins was for 7-12 days after which the wines were pressed and allowed to settle before maturation in 100% French Oak with two rackings over 14 months to soften the tannin structure. The wine was blended in April 2019 and prepared for bottling in May.

OAK TREATMENT

100% French, 20% new, 13% 1 yo, 15% 2 yo, 20% balance 3-5 yo