Merlot Cabernet 2023
Main Divide is the local name for the Southern Alps and is the backbone of the South Island, where grapes for Main Divide are exclusively sourced. Vineyards have been selected for their quality and ability to express unique regional flavours.
The Season
Settled weather during Spring resulted in successful flowering and a healthy fruit set, meaning crop thinning was needed in some areas. Good heat concentration in early to mid-Summer then allowed the grapes to ripen beautifully. The remainder of Summer and Autumn threw up a mix of hot days interspersed with cooler spells, although rain was sufficiently spread out to ensure the bunches remained healthy and disease free.
The Harvest and Wine Making
This wine is made in the same style as the celebrated Claret from Bordeaux, using traditional methods. After being picked during the second half of April, the grapes began fermentation naturally in stainless steel tanks. During this process the juice was regularly pumped over the cap of floating grape skins (rather than plunging), to ensure a perfect tannin balance was extracted from the fruit. The wine was then gently pressed off and put into French oak barriques. The following summer, when the weather warmed, it underwent a natural malo-lactic (secondary) fermentation. After maturing in oak for 18 months, the various batches were then carefully blended to produce the most complex and balanced wine possible. The finished product is predominantly Merlot, with the balance made up of Cabernet Sauvignon.
The Wine
It has a deep crimson hue. On the inviting nose there are depictions of blackberry, blackcurrant and damson plum, infused with nuances of liquorice, eucalyptus, black olive tapenade and tobacco. The palate is detailed in layers, with a luscious landing of ripe berry fruit that possesses vitality and concentration. Augmenting this is a wraparound of finely polished tannins and subtle oak, adding a sense of power, and a deliciously long carry.
| Harvest Date | AV Brix at Harvest | Alcohol Content | R.S. | T.A. | Aging Potential |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 17th - 30th April 2023 | 24 | 13.5% | Dry | 4.6 g/l | 6-8 years |