Torpedo Rocks Reserve Shiraz Cabernet Merlot 2019

50% Shiraz/35% Cabernet/17% Merlot

Yield: 4 tonne/hectare

Soils: Black loam over limestone with a high ph. Sandy loam over clay and non wettable sandy loam over clay.

Winemaking: Dry grown, hand-picked, basket pressed in whole bunches, malolactic fermentation in barrel. Aged for 22 months in 5% Reserve American Oak and 95% Grande Reserve French Oak used with the new oak component being 35% with 2, and 3 year old oak barriques. The new oak percentage has come from middle of the Forrest growth oak with a tighter knit and seamless feel. Minimal intervention when bottled.

Tasting Notes: this wine is big, forget the Shiraz, this is all about the insane Cabernet that came out of the 2019 vintage. Think of The Rolling Stones, some argue that they are all about the prancing peacock front man Mick Jagger (the villain Shiraz in our story; blackberry, black currant, star anise, liquorice). For us it is Keith Richards (the hero, Cabernet; violets, mulberries, big red juicy fruits, brambles) the guitar virtuoso that makes their music era defining and timeless, the band and this wine would not be what it is without Keith (aka Cabernet). The palate is full of firm well structured tannins, fruit and more fruit.  The Merlot is Charlie Watts who is on record saying “all I do is keep time & get out of the way”. And the Merlot is just that, keeps the main protagonists in check and softens their egos to create a wine that will last until flares come back into fashion.