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Oakridge Estate Merlot 2003 |
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The picking criteria for this wine were based on flavor intensity, ripeness of flavor and absence of green tannins. All fruit was picked prior to the onset of berry shrivel. Part of the Cabernet parcel remained on skins for 4 weeks for the development of tannins and secondary fruit flavours. The 9% addition of Cabernet has helped to introduce added structure and length to the final blend, without sacrificing the generous Merlot characters. While having immediate appeal as a decanted young wine, medium to longer term cellaring is recommended.
It's no wonder James Halliday has awarded David Bicknell Honours and blessings! This guy knows how to make wine from the Yarra Valley really stand out. The Yarra Valley had a ripper vintage in 2003 & was one of the warmest and driest seasons on record. Naturally low crop levels were experienced & the combination of low crops and above average warmth lead to concentration of flavour and high color in the Merlot which also had the benefit of 9% Cabernet. Sourced for Premium Vineyards the overall wine is exultant now after 4 years of maturation and something to die for in the cellar! The fruit was destemmed and crushed into small (6 tonne) static vessels and fermented on skins for up to 28 days. During the fermentation, the wine was pumped over the skins up to 4 times per day to extract colour and tannin. The wine was then pressed and settled prior to racking the wine into a range of new (40%), one-year (30%), two-year (20%)and three-year old (10%) French oak barriques. Malolactic fermentation was conducted in oak. The wine was racked from barrel twice during its 14-month maturation in barrel. Blending was conducted July 2004. The wine was finished with a light egg white fining and a single polishing filtration prior to bottling. In plain speak beautifully made expertly stored and a Cellar Release to be snapping up as quick as you can.
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WBW Rating: |
93/100 |
Don't Pay: |
30.00 |
Closure: |
Cork |
Region: |
Yarra Valley Vic |
Winemaker: |
David Bicknell |
Drink Now Until: |
2015 |
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