TASTING NOTES

A large proportion of the grapes for this wine come from the original 1963 plantings of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Cabernet Franc vines. The remainder is from the more recently planted – 1989 – Petit Verdot. Whilst the proportions are different every year, depending on fruit set and cropping levels, roughly speaking the break down is about as follows: 65% Cabernet Sauvignon, 30% Cabernet Franc and Merlot, and 5% Petit Verdot. The addition of the Petit Verdot grapes in the 1990s gave the wine an added backbone of tannin and natural acidity. With its long growing season, the Petit Verdot grapes are the last to be harvested, usually in mid-April.
The 2014 Amelia is an expression of that year in our vineyard. In fact it was a year when the Merlot and Cab Franc component equalled the Cabernet Sauvignon in terms of proportions, with the Petit Verdot playing its 8% support act. All the grapes gave us tiny berries, so the result is some fabulous fruit flavours supported by fine tannins. The ‘14 is somewhere between the richness of the much lauded 2010 and the elegance of the 2013. This wine too is finished with a screwcap. – Maryann Egan