| Vintage
The 2002 vintage was marked by dry, cool to mild conditions, which lasted all
through the harvest season. In line with this were fully developed flavours and tannins
supported by moderate to high levels of acidity. All these features combined to make red
wines with understated power and longevity. A great vintage by any standard.
Winemaking
Frankland River is a sub-region of the Great Southern in Western Australia. It
is without doubt a premium region for viticulture making some of the state’s best wines and
this is no exception. The fruit for this wine was machine harvested in cool day-time conditions
in mid April 2002. After two weeks of fermentation and skin contact time the wine was drained
and pressed from the skins. Following on from malolactic fermentation the wine was transferred
to 40% new French oak and 60% one-year old French oak for a period of twelve months. The wine was
then blended, fined, and given minimal filtration prior to bottling in early June 2003. Released July 2003.
Tasting Notes
The 2002 Merlot is everything Merlot should be. Lovely fragrant soft plummy
fruit characters on the nose with the palate filling out with these sweet fruit flavours and
moderate, silky tannins. The French oak lends some mild chocolatey nuances to the wine without
dominating the aromatic fruit bouquet. Overall a medium bodied wine which will appeal to people
not wanting a “heady” red wine but still chasing a serious red. For those people keen on cellaring
I would recommend a perfect time of five to seven years from the release date.
Assessment
“This wine shone amongst the Merlots with clean and vibrant cassis and lifted black fruits. A
medium weighted wine, which offers ripe fruit on the palate, coupled with fine tannins and a long
luscious mouthfeel. This wine is structured to last for many years to come,” Scoop Magazine, Spring 2003.
“The 2002 Merlot is a beauty, with delicious mulberry, plum and chocolate flavours in great depth.” The Sunday Times, Bill Thompson, 19 January 2003.
Awards
- Silver Medal, Royal Adelaide Wine Show, 2003.
- Most Successful Exhibitor, Sheraton WA Wine Awards, 2002.
- Most Successful Exhibitor, Sheraton WA Wine Awards, 2001.
- Bronze, Perth Royal Wine Show, Class 19
- Bronze, Qantas Wine Show of Western Australia, Class 21
- Bronze, Royal Hobart Wine Show, Class 43
- Bronze, Royal Adelaide Wine Show, Class 14
- Bronze, National Wine Show of Australia, Class 46
- Bronze Sydney Royal Wine Show Class 21
- Bronze Royal Queensland Show Class 53
- Bronze Cowra Wine Show Class 66
- Bronze Wine Show of WA Mt Barker Class 26
- Bronze Royal Adelaide Show Class 14
|
