2017 E. McDougall & Co. Cabernets

Tasting Notes

This wine exudes aromas that are complex and intense, yet very inviting and rewarding. The beautiful florals of jasmine and violets are lifted by a healthy dose of vanilla spice and are complemented by dark fruits. The way it all comes together so harmoniously is just gorgeous. The palate has great depth; it is bold and stylish with great elegance and finesse. The acid to tannin balance is right on the money - overall, just downright delicious. What a cracker!

92 Points | " Deepish red/purple colour with a dusty, earthy and ripe cassis scented bouquet. There are violets and blackberries galore. An intense, driving, powerful wine with forceful tannins and some elegance. Long finish. A very smart wine. And it has a future. (6, 000 bottles made)" - Huon Hooke, The Real Review

Winemaker's Notes

This is a chance for me to get serious and produce a wine that will stand the test of time in someone's deep, dark cave of a cellar. This is not an overly extracted Cabernet, which aims to knock out the drinker but a style that is restrained, refreshing and focused on delivering great complexity with time in the glass. French oak is the key to bringing this blend together as it spends 18 months in it maturing. My style is reflective of Bordeaux's right-bank who, for decades, have produced epic wines that have dominated the world stage. Cabernet Franc and Merlot lead as the dominant varietal whilst the blending of Cabernet Sauvignon and Malbec add a formality of structure and density on the palate. I look forward to enjoying this wine 20 years from now. - Eddie McDougall

Winemaking

A very different season compared to the last as it was late, a little cooler, and wet. Some varietals, like Malbec, struggled to ripen so we excluded it from this vintage. The other varietals progressed later than usual and the yields were very inconsistent. Ultimately, Cabernet Franc, Merlot, and Cabernet Sauvignon formed this blend. All varietals were de-stemmed and pumped into stainless steel fermenters. Fermentation was induced with selected Bordeaux favoured yeast strains, and the must was pumped over twice daily to extract the perfect amount of tannins, colour, and aromas. Fermentation of all batches occurred over a 14-18 day process with parcels then pressed off into barrels for malolactic fermentation and maturation for the next 18 months. Fining was limited as was the addition of sulphur dioxide. After 14 months, the wines were racked, blended, and returned to barrel for integration. For challenging vintages such as this one, the blending aspect was critical and this was where a true test of winemaking comes through. Once blended and maturation was completed, the wines were bottled via sterile filtration membrane.

Technical Sheet

Varietal: 39% Merlot, 29% Cabernet Sauvignon, 19% Cabernet Franc, 13% Malbec

Region: Margaret River

Alcohol: 14.7%

Production: 3000 Bottles

About The Range

E. McDougall & Co. is the product of collaboration between Eddie and some of the best winegrowers in Margaret River. Seeking out the best landscapes and varietals to create these groundbreaking blends is his philosophy behind this premium range of Australian wines.