Lenton Brae Cabernet Merlot 2021

Description

Bruce and Jeanette Tomlinson established Lenton Brae Estate in 1982. It remains family owned and operated with son Edward the current winemaker.
The site of the vineyard was chosen after a chance conversation with Bill Pannell. Bill was the owner of Moss Wood winery and producing wines that were renowned throughout Australia and overseas. During a casual chat between the two men, Bill opined that the soils of one of the newly created properties were uniformly excellent and equal to those of the existing Moss Wood vineyard. Suitably impressed, Bruce decided to purchase the property immediately to the north of Moss Wood. The varieties selected for planting in 1982 were Chardonnay, Semillon, Sauvignon Blanc, Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot. Pinot Noir was also originally planted but was removed in line with Bruce’s decision to focus Lenton Brae production on the red and white Bordeaux wine styles.

“In making this wine, the emphasis is on minimal tannin extraction to produce a style rich in flavour with a softness to allow the wine to be enjoyed upon release.

Notes from the winery about the 2021 “The primary fruit for this wine was grown at the estate in Wilyabrup. This includes some of the oldest cabernet sauvignon on the estate. The merlot and cabernet franc are also estate-grown. Our fruit has been supplemented with additional cabernet sauvignon and malbec from a neighbouring Wilyabrup vineyard.

“In making this wine, we have taken lengths to minimise tannin extraction. This is to produce a style that is rich in flavour but possessed of a softness to allow the wine to be enjoyed upon release. Cooler fermentation in open stainless steel fermenters, on skins with gentle pumpovers, occurred overten days, before soft pressing and movement into a combination of old and new French barriques. Maturation took place over fifteen months before bottling. This year our blend is made up of 87% cabernet sauvignon, 8% merlot, 4% cabernet franc, and 1% malbec.

“On the nose, a pretty lift of strawberry blossoms, raspberries, dark cocoa, HB pencil, and vanilla pod. This is a medium-bodied wine that has been designed to exhibit the pretty side of cabernet sauvignon. Initially soft, it grows into a generous core of blackberry, plum, and earthy beetroot. The tannins are fine, graphitelike, and chalky.

Don’t overthink your pairing: red and white meat, along with vegetables (roasted or mashed), will all work well. Do stay away from anything too spicy or bold, as this will detract from the wine’s softness and subtleties.”

A classic Margaret River blend- the tannin of Cabernet Sauvignon beautifully complements the mid palate fruitiness and softness of the Merlot- this is an easy drinking, crowd pleasing red.

91 points, Ray Jordan “Never disappoints when you’re seeking a value for money easy drinking red, with just that little bit of extra class. This one is medium bodied with a mix of dark fruits and a light touch of oak to complement. Flavoursome through to a complete finish.”