Cabernet Day Selection

Five varieties of grapes are permitted in red Bordeaux wines: cabernet sauvignon, merlot, cabernet franc, malbec and petit verdot. In Australia, cabernet sauvignon and merlot are a common blend to produce a Bordeaux-styled red, with merlot’s smoothness and fruit forward qualities helping to balance the high tannins of cabernet sauvignon.

The fruit parcels were picked and sorted between late February and early April 2024. The varietal parcels were cold soaked in small fermenters for two days before undergoing a gentle and extended maceration. This approach helped to soften the tannin profile of the cabernet sauvignon. The wine was then matured in 225L Bordeaux oak barriques (30% new) with the balance to aged Bordeaux barriques. The wine was matured in barrels for fourteen months before being prepared for final blending and bottling.

The continental cool climate subregion of Frankland River sits within the northwest corner of the Great Southern wine region. The Donnelly River vineyard is an established cabernet vineyard site in the heart of the Frankland River wine growing district.

The 2024 growing season offered consistent temperatures and an early, dry harvest. These conditions have resulted in a rich cabernet with ripe varietal flavour and good tannin profile.

The fruit was picked and sorted on 20 and 21 March 2024. It was cold soaked in a small fermenter for three days before undergoing a gentle and extended maceration. After the fermentation, the wine was left on skins for 24 days. Thirty percent of the wine was matured in new Bordeaux oak barriques. The balance went to one-year old (30%) and two-year old (40%) Bordeaux barriques for fourteen months before the wine was then prepared for bottling.