Balnaves The Blend Cabernet Merlot 2018

Balnaves The Blend Cabernet Merlot is elegant and delicate with fresh black fruit and a leaner tannin finish.

Winery Rating: 5 Star James Halliday Wine Companion 2012

Mid red purple hue. Delicate aromas of liquorice dark fruits mint and subtle milk chocolate aromas. A very delicate example of The Blend reflecting the relatively shorter “hang time” for the 2009 vintage and the higher percentage of Cabernet Franc this year. Comprised of Quarry and Walker vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon (72%), Rise and Avery Merlot (22%) and Gumtree Cab Franc (6%), the palate is elegant and delicate with fresh black fruit and a leaner tannin finish

Balnaves is a small family owned wine company in the heart of the famous Coonawarra Terra Rossa strip. The initial vineyard plantings commenced in 1975 and have now increased to 47 hectares. Although predominantly Cabernet Sauvignon the vineyard also includes Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Chardonnay and Shiraz. Winemaker is Pete Bissell was the 2005 Qantas ‘Winemaker of the Year’. Pete’s wines have seen Balnaves achieve many accolades – 2008 James Halliday’s Winery of the year, 2006 Jeremy Oliver wine of the year to name a few.