Redshed Cabernet Merlot 2023

Awards and Accolades

Bronze Medal – 2024 Margaret River Wine Show

Awarded in the Cabernet Sauvignon-predominant blends class, recognising the wine’s fruit, balance and regional character.

Bronze Medal – 2024 Wine Show of Western Australia

Recognised among Cabernet and other red blends from across Western Australia.

Tasting Notes

• Appearance: Deep red with youthful purple hues.
• Aromatics: Ripe blackberry, black cherry, cassis and plum are layered with cedar, vanilla and a light touch of tobacco leaf.
• Palate: Generous dark fruit flavours fill the palate, led by blackcurrant and blackberry.
• Oak influence: Subtle toasted oak, mocha and baking spices complement the fruit without dominating it.
• Structure: Fine-grained tannins provide shape, while balanced acidity keeps the wine fresh and lively.
• Finish: Smooth and persistent, with lingering black fruit, cedar, mocha and gentle spice.

Wine Details

• Vintage: 2023
• Varieties: Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot
• Region: Margaret River, Western Australia
• Vineyard location: Metricup
• Vineyard blocks: W1, W2, W3 and W5
• Fermentation: Open fermenters
• Extraction: Pumped over twice daily
• Alcohol: 13.8%
• Standard drinks: 8.2
• Style: Medium-bodied, dark-fruited and smoothly structured
• Serving temperature: Approximately 16 to 18°C
• Cellaring: Enjoy now or over the next three to five years

Why Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot Work Together

Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot are traditional blending partners because each variety contributes something different to the finished wine.

Cabernet Sauvignon provides the backbone. It brings blackcurrant, blackberry, cedar, acidity and tannin, giving the wine its shape and ability to hold together through the finish.

Merlot fills out the middle of the palate with softer tannins and ripe plum or dark cherry flavours. This makes the blend feel rounder and more approachable while retaining Cabernet’s recognisable structure.

In simple terms, Cabernet provides the frame and Merlot softens the edges.

The 2023 Margaret River Vintage

The 2023 growing season began slowly following cooler winter and spring conditions, but consistent warmth during summer allowed the vines to catch up and the fruit to ripen evenly.

Dry conditions and minimal disease pressure helped producers harvest healthy grapes with excellent flavour and natural balance.

Cabernet Sauvignon was one of the vintage highlights. The resulting wines generally show deep colour, concentrated dark fruit and fine tannin structure, characteristics that can be clearly seen in this Cabernet Merlot.

The combination of ripe fruit and natural freshness makes the 2023 vintage particularly well suited to wines that can be enjoyed young while retaining enough structure for medium-term cellaring.

Serving and Cellaring

Serve Redshed Estate Cabernet Merlot at approximately 16 to 18°C.

If the bottle has been stored in a warm room, place it in the refrigerator for around 25 to 35 minutes before serving. A slightly cooler temperature will keep the dark fruit fresh and prevent the alcohol from becoming too noticeable.

When drinking it now, decant the wine for approximately 30 minutes. This will help release its blackberry, cassis and cedar aromas while allowing the fine tannins to relax.

The wine is already approachable and does not require extended cellaring. Enjoy it now or keep well-stored bottles through approximately 2029. Over time, the fresh fruit should gradually develop more savoury cedar, tobacco and earthy characteristics.

Food Pairing 

• Grilled steak: The dark fruit and fine tannins are a natural match for sirloin, rump or Scotch fillet.
• Roast lamb: Pair it with a lamb shoulder, roast leg or herb-crusted lamb rack.
• Beef burgers: Blackberry fruit, cedar and mocha work particularly well with grilled beef and mature cheese.
• Slow-cooked dishes: Try it with beef cheeks, lamb shanks or a rich tomato-based casserole.
• Mushroom dishes: Mushroom risotto, grilled portobello mushrooms or a mushroom pie complement its savoury characters.
• Hard cheese: Mature cheddar, aged Gouda or firm farmhouse cheeses suit its dark fruit and fine tannin structure.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Cabernet Merlot lighter than Cabernet Sauvignon?

It is often softer and more approachable. Merlot adds roundness and ripe plum fruit, helping soften Cabernet Sauvignon’s firmer tannins without removing its dark fruit and structure.

Is this a full-bodied red?

It sits around medium-bodied rather than being an especially heavy wine. There is plenty of dark fruit, but the balanced acidity and fine tannins keep it fresh and easy to drink.

Is the wine dry?

Yes. It is a dry red wine. The ripe blackberry, black cherry and plum flavours provide fruit generosity, but this should not be confused with sweetness.

What are pump overs?

During red wine fermentation, grape skins rise to the top of the fermenter and form a cap.

A pump over involves drawing fermenting wine from the bottom of the vessel and pouring it over this cap. It extracts colour, flavour and tannin while keeping the skins moist.

Why are open fermenters used?

Open fermenters provide the winemaker with easy access to the grape skins and allow close control over extraction. They are commonly used for red wines where colour, flavour and tannin need to be carefully managed.

Does this wine need to be decanted?

It does not require a long decant, but approximately 30 minutes will help the fruit and savoury aromas open while softening the tannins.

How long can I cellar it?

This wine is made to provide generous drinking while relatively young. Enjoy it now or cellar it through approximately 2029 under cool, dark and temperature-stable conditions.

 
 
 
 
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