Companions Cabernet Merlot - 2006

VINEYARD
A number of Clare Valley vineyards from various sub-regions contributed fruit for this wine, on the basis of their mutual compatibility and suitability for the style of the wine being made. Additional Merlot was sourced from the Edwards family’s vineyards in the Adelaide Hills.

GROWING CONDITIONS
The 2005 growing season in the Clare Valley was widely considered to be excellent, with good spring rains and a warm, dry summer combining to provide even and consistent vine growth and fruit ripening. A warm, dry autumn enabled fruit to be picked in optimum condition. Conditions were similar, but cooler, in the Adelaide Hills.

WINEMAKING
Each parcel of Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot was fermented separately in a mixture of open and closed static fermenters. Regular pump overs and rack and returns were used to macerate the skins extracting maximum flavour and colour. Fermentation temperatures were varied to provide added complexity to the final blend. Some of the components were then aged in a combination of new, two and four year old French and Russian oak barriques to round out the wine and provide balance. The final blend was 70% Cabernet Sauvignon, 25% Merlot from the Clare Valley and 5% Merlot from the Adelaide Hills.

WINEMAKER’S TASTING NOTES
A beautiful deep, dark red in colour. The nose shows lifted aromas and strong varietal expression coupled with complex secondary notes from extended barrel maturation. Rich and soft in the mouth, with intense blackcurrant Cabernet flavour supported by the plummy richness from the Merlot. Fine grained tannins leave a soft, velvety impression on the finish which features lingering cassis and cocoa. Although drinking well now, this is a wine which will benefit from medium term cellaring.

RELEASED
June 2007

Data sourced from official Kirrihill website.