The Petaluma Cabernet Merlot 1998 boasts a stunning crimson purple colour. Its delightful bouquet, with notes of mulberry, violets, blackcurrant, and spice, is a pure delight to the senses. On the palate, this wine truly shines with its outstanding structure - like a young, high-quality racehorse patiently waiting for its time. Crafted from a blend of 30% Merlot and 70% Cabernet Sauvignon, this wine has a remarkable weight and mouthfeel. The flavours of spice, cedar, blackcurrant, and liquorice are perfectly balanced, filling every corner of the mouth. The fine-grained tannins are expertly integrated, leading to an exceptionally long aftertaste. An absolute triumph.
"Even the Socratic Brian Croser, ever-dissatisfied, must be quietly ecstatic over this wine, surely the best Petaluma yet. The epitome of elegance, with gently sweet cassis berry fruit inextricably woven through cedary oak, the palate silky smooth and supple, with perfectly ripened fruit and equally ripe, fine tannins." 97 Points - James Halliday, Halliday's Wine Companion, 17th June 2021
Evans Vineyard was planted in 1968 and lies in the heart of the Coonawarra. It was purchased by Petaluma in 1978 by the late Australian wine legend Len Evans. The region’s famous Terra Rossa red clay over limestone soil reflects the maritime presence of its geological past. The cold Southern Ocean has now receded by some 80 kilometres, but it still exerts a moderating influence on the climate of Coonawarra, contributing to the region’s ability to produce elegant and long-lived Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot wines.
