1998 Petaluma Coonawarra Merlot

The growing conditions for the 1998 Petaluma Merlot were ideal, with Brian Croser reporting at the time "the 1998 vintage was significantly cooler at 1401 degrees Celsius heat summation as against the districts average of 1414 degrees Celsius.” Both the Petaluma Merlot vineyards were drought affected which resulted in a diminished berry size “to the smallest in memory.” The crop level was higher than normal at 8 tonnes per hectare (3.2 tonnes per acre) which still produced a concentrated wine, with almost perfume like aromas.The wine was matured in new Nevers and Alliers oak casks and bottled after 18 months oak maturation.

Opaque black dark red colour with deep dark red to brick red hue. The nose exhibits ripe mulberry and blackcurrant aromas intermixed with some cedar, earthy leather like notes and spice. Medium weight the palate still retains plenty of fruit with ripe mulberry and blackcurrant flavours overlaid by some earthy cedar, leather and spice. Very soft velvet smooth tannins. Elegantly built with long mulberry, cedary cigar box, earth and spice aftertaste.
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Alc 14%