Bleeding Heart McLaren Vale Cabernet Sauvignon 2018 (Australia)

Description

"Attractively fruited and sweetly lifted, the bouquet shows dark plum, raspberry, mixed spice and hazelnut characters. The palate delivers succulent fruit intensity and rounded mouthfeel, leading to a lingering supple finish. Approachable and very friendly" Sam Kim, Wine Orbit, Jan 2019

A typically bright young Cabernet showing varietal blackberry and currant aromas, a hint of bramble and savoury oak. In the glass you’ll discover  McLaren Vale’s opulent take on Cabernet, a palate full of dark berries and ripe plums before an impressively long finish given definition by fine tannins. A perfect  combination of easy-going approachability and Cabernet Sauvignon power and structure.

Sourced from a combination of established, dry-grown vineyards in central South Australia and low-yielding McLaren Vale vineyards. Wines are made and matured by Jim Zerella in McLaren Vale. The combination of two regions delivers well-balanced wines with excellent intensity of flavour whilst maintaining elegance and versatility as a food match.

Above average rains in winter before a dry and warmer than normal summer resulted in solid vintage conditions in 2018. Summer rainfall was relatively low keeping disease pressure under control, but a couple of good falls from November through to January assisted with canopy maintenance. Temperatures were higher than average, with a number of short heatwaves across South Australia. Whites were picked in early February and the majority of reds in March. An excellent vintage overall with excellent tannins and good flavour ripeness.

Fruit is chilled before de-stemming and a cold soak for three days. Each parcel is fermented separately with the McLaren Vale Shiraz fermented in small open two tonne vessels before maturation in two to four year old oak barrels for six months. The Big Rivers component is fermented and matured in stainless steel before blending.

Bleeding Heart Wine was born from a shared passion in the wines and vineyards of South Australia. The ancient soils and moderate climate create rich and full bodied wines that are incredibly satisfying. Few that experience the lifestyle of food and wine or the beautiful landscape could argue that it is not better a bleeding heart than none at all.