94 points
Bright crimson; a fragrant red berry bouquet, then an elegant medium-bodied palate, cassis and blackcurrant to the fore, tannins and oak to the back.
2009 Flametree Cabernet Merlot
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Grape variety: 70% Cabernet Sauvignon, 30% Merlot
Winemaking notes: The 2009 vintage has produced a wonderfully elegant and perfumed Flametree Cabernet Merlot. In keeping with the previous two vintages the fruit was sourced from the Karridale and Willyabrup sub regions of Margaret River. The grapes were fermented in static upright fermentors with gentle pump overs. Twelve months maturation in a mixture of new and older French oak barrels has softened the tannins and given wonderful structure. The wine was egg white fined and bottled in June 2010.
Alcohol content: 14.0%
Tasting notes: Violets, blackberries, currents and spice are the hallmark of this years wine. Classic Cabernet Sauvignon structure and lovely juicy dark fruits, that are very much a part the Flametree Cabernet Merlot style, once again dominate both nose and palate. The nose also shows hints of violets, black/ blueberries and briary oak. Perfumed Cabernet fruits, with a fine tannin structure run the length of the medium weight palate. The third wine in a wonderful trio of Flametree Cabernet Merlots.
Cellaring: Short to medium term, up to 5 years, or simply enjoy the lovely fruit whilst the wine is young.
Reviews
James Halliday www.winecompanion.com.au
Australian Gourmet Traveller Wine, July 2011
2009 Flametree Cabernet Merlot was one of my favourites, although the colour was mite advanced for a two year-old. I loved the complex, cigar-box nose and the rich flavours, which continue nicely across the palate in a seamless line, to finish with fine tannins. Caillard agreed. "Minty, leafy, sweet fruit, with herbs and cherry," he wrote. "Fine, chalky, chocolaty tannins. Firm, but great flavour length." It will age further for at least five years.
Spice Magazine, June 2011
MT was trying to work out whether this wine - an imitable MR classic - was worth getting excited about. I suppose the wine gave it away too easily. In some regards it's formulaic. Rich, ripe, juicy. Clever winemaking with a touch of sweetness to draw the non-red drinker on in. AM noted the commercial slant of the wine but rewarded the "blackcurrant nose, heaps of pepper and menthol in the background - seamless and soft, dark chocolaty and easy to drink". My notes echoed hers, the acidity was high, the tones fruit driven, little use of oak and succulent finish. For those entering into red-wine territory, this wine is a safe bet.
Wine Business Magazine - May 2011
93/100 points
Fresh and fragrant, summer pudding and fresh-cut cedary oak. The palate delivers smooth tannins, rich mixed berry, cocoa and chocolate flavours.
Winestate Best of the West - May/June 2011
5 Stars - Straightforward, long and juicy wine with nice varietal fruit characters of cherries and raspberries showing a slight green edge and laced with firm, supple tannins. Has quite an angular finish.
Sunday Times - Top Drops with Peter Forrestal, 8 May 2011
Cliff Royle stamps his mark on this Margaret River label in impressive fashion. Plush, velvety and generous, this blend shows persistent cassis and dark plum flavours that meld seamlessly with restrained oak. Excellent value.
Recommended by Winewise Magazine - March 2011
Rich and ripe but still shows cassis varietal character. Quite fine, but mouthfilling and slightly forward, showing its oak.
