2022 Renzaglia Cabernet Merlot

What was a challenging Spring turned out to be the dream autumn. Those who got fruit through the new year in good condition were handsomely rewarded. We received Cabernet Sauvignon from Gordon Hills, Cabernet Franc from Boree Lane and Merlot from Carillon Vineyards- all a stone’s throw from each other in Lidster, Orange. These came in at 26, 4 and 27 April respectively. The Cabernet Sauvignon was fermented as whole berries, some was macerated for 2 weeks, some for 4. Merlot was fermented in a 1T fermenter as whole berries for 2 weeks and the rest in a 600L Stainless tank which was held on skins for 4 months. Cabernet Franc was fermented as whole berries and 15% whole bunch in a 2000L VC tank as well as some undergoing a long carbonic maturation in barrel. All parcels were fermented by wild yeast and extraction restrained.

The resultant wines were aged in a variety of vessels, predominantly barriques with the final blend being 28% new oak. Some of the barrels were racked once during their maturation period to soften tannins. The final blend was sent to tank in April 2023 and held there on fine solids for a further 6 months prior to bottling without any fining or filtration in late September 2023.

TECHNICAL DETAILS

Alcohol: 13.4

pH: 3.62

Bottles made: 998

TASTING NOTES