2009 Sevenhill St. Ignatius Cabernet Sauvignon Merlot Cabernet Franc Malbec

A Spectacular Bordeaux inspired blend packed with Clare Valley’s trademark rich ripe fruit flavours.
As a result of the floods and heavy rains of 1974 long time Sevenhill winemaker Brother John May decided that his Cabernet Sauvignon and Shiraz were not suitable to be released as in individual wines so he decided to blend them together . Not long after bottling, well-respected Melbourne wine merchant Doug Crittenden tasted the wine and exclaimed it was the closest thing to Pomerol he had ever tasted! Doug knew Brother John and sent him a bottle of his favourite Pomerol wine to taste. Brother John could understand the similarities and was keen to learn more and why the Bordelaise blend Cabernet Sauvignon with other varieties to create their best wines. His research found that Merlot, Malbec and Cabernet Franc each added another dimension to the intense berry characters and firm tannin structure of Cabernet Sauvignon. Merlot contributes violet perfume and has silky tannins that build a bridge to the tannin of Cabernet Sauvignon whilst Malbec imparts more colour and plum-like characters to the blend. The Cabernet Franc component is similar to Cabernet Sauvignon with pronounced aromas of raspberries, blackcurrants and violets.
This inspired him plant some of the first of these vines in the Clare Valley which eventually
lead to the creation of the St Ignatius blend. A blend of 56% Cabernet Sauvignon, 20% Merlot, 14% Cabernet Franc and 10% Malbec. After basket pressing, ageing was undertaken in a combination of old and new French oak. Totally opaque black dark crimson red colour with deep dark red black hue. The nose displays lifted scents of ripe dark blackcurrant, chocolate bullets and mint followed by some subtle earthy cedar end notes. Full bodied, the palate is brimming with super concentrated rich ripe fruit flavours of blackcurrant, cassis, dark chocolate and liquorice with some underlying cedar and spice. Velvet smooth perfectly balanced tannins. Magnificent length and persistence with very long rich aftertaste of ripe blackcurrant, dark chocolate, a touch of mint and spicy cedar.
Cellar 4-5 years (2016-2017)
Alc 15.5%