2021 Stouck Farmstead RED

90 points, WineAlign judges

Winemaker's Notes:

60% Merlot, 40% Cabernet Sauvignon

Blackberry, strawberry jam, plus other red fruit. The nose declares dark cherry, black raspberry, sweet rhubarb and vanilla, accented by fragrant cedar.  The plush texture is livened by firm acidity, and flavours recall ripe black and red fruits spiced by cocoa, menthol and clove.

The two varieties were picked separately over two days at the Stouck Family Vineyard, merlot on October 21st at 22.8° Bix and cabernet sauvignon on November 4th at 20.2° Brix Harvest sugar.

The Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon were vinified separately.  Blended in a 1,000 Litre oak tank, the wine aged in equal portions of American and French oak barrels, of which 10% were in first use.  After 16 months in oak, 577 cases were bottled in March 2023.  

Enjoy now to 2033.

When the finished wine was bottled, alcohol measured 12.5%, residual sugar 0 grams per litre, titratable acidity 5.9 grams per litre and pH 3.67.

Dry: 0 g/L residual sugar

Food Companions: Best enjoyed near 15° C with barbecued smash burgers or goat meat Adobo.

Vegan friendly.