Australia / Orange
Add to my wine list

2019 Philip Shaw No 17 Merlot Cabernet Sauvignon Cabernet Franc

Philip Shaw Wines

Orange

No 17 Merlot Cabernet Sauvignon Cabernet Franc is a summation of all contributing Koomooloo vineyard blocks - 5, 7, 2 and 3 = 17.

The No 17 is a dark garnet red. It has a lifted generous palate with luscious dark berry fruits framed by soft supple tannins, giving the wine line and length. Savoury characteristics of chocolate and clove with undertones of dried herbs.

This is perhaps the best No 17 that has been made!


Viticulture

In 2019 we experienced dry winters on the back of a dry 2018. Spring was warm with little rain, setting us up for another compressed harvest. In the vineyard, focus was to ensure vines evaded the effects of heat stress; loose canopies to allow shading and judicious watering where possible. Due to the lack of rain throughout the season we experienced lower then normal crops, however quality was ensuring with small berried and intensity of flavour across the board. A great year for red wine.


Vinification

Hand harvested and hand sorted 75% Merlot, 16% Cabernet Sauvignon, 9% Cabernet Franc. Fermented separately with indigenous yeast cap management with rack and returns, aerative pump over and plunging. Malolactic fermentation took place in Spring with 16 months maturation in French oak barrels, 15% of those were new oak.