Winery & Vintage Info
The fruit for the 2017 Preservative Free Organic Cabernet Sauvignon Merlot blend was sourced from McLaren Vale, and Langhorne Creek Vineyards.
The growing season in McLaren Vale was earmarked with significant rainfall events in late September, December January and February. Warmer weather followed late February and March allowing for the perfect ripening of Merlot harvested in late March and the Cabernet harvested in late April.
Our Langhorne Creek Estate vineyard received late season rainfall with the vineyard being flooded in late September and again just after Christmas. Due to the cooler than average winter temperatures and rainfall the whole growing season was extended with our last fruit being harvested in late April, the latest ever pick of Cabernet in Temple Bruer history!
Good vineyard management and warm weather from February through to April allowed the Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon to be harvested in early to late April. Vineyard parcels were crushed and fermented separately. Daily pump overs allowed for good fermentation tempera- ture control and improved colour extraction, once dry each ferment parcel sat on skins for a few days before pressing off. In tank a selection of French Oak staves were added, incorporating further complexity and structure to the wine while they completed malolactic fermentation. To avoid oxygen pick up, the wines are kept off ullage with minimal transfer and rankings prior to being carefully blended prior to bottling in October and November 2017. No Sulphur dioxide has been added during the processing of this wine. Winery Notes
