2001 McWilliams Hanwood Merlot

Notes sourced from McWilliam’s Wines

Our Hanwood winery was established in 1917, when John James McWilliam brought 40,000 vine cuttings by bullock dray from June to Hanwood. These were the first vines to be planted in the new Murrumbidgee Irrigation Area. The winery is now a large, modern facility, producing a range of famous table and fortified wines.

2001 was an excellent vintage in both Coonawarra and Riverina for Merlot grapes. Mild to warm ripening conditions and very little rain enabled the grapes to reach high sugar levels and excellent deep colours. The grapes were picked in March (Riverina) and April (Coonawarra). Fermentation time was 8-10 days with the majority of this wine placed in open fermenters and “headed down” to gain as much colour and flavour as possible. A portion of this wine (30%) was barrel fermented in two and three year old American oak for 4-6 months. The wine was then racked, cold stabilised and filtered prior to bottling.

Crimson with brick red hues. Lifted, spicy Satsuma plum fruit with a hint of cinnamon, mocha oak. Blackcurrant and ripe plum fruit flavours with vanilla, clove oak characters. The palate is fresh and lively with a soft long finish. Drink now or carefully cellar for up to 5 years.
Alcohol by Volume: 13.5 %