Voyager Estate Cabernet Sauvignon Merlot 2013

88% Cabernet Sauvignon, 8% Merlot, 4% Petit Verdot. Since the watershed 2001 release, Voyager’s flagship Cabernet/Merlot has gone from strength to strength. Based on fruit from the 35-year-old Estate block with the addition of some grapes from the precocious and exciting Block 12, and a smidge of Willyabrup Merlot, this is distinguished Margaret River at its finest. These three vineyards all display exceptional consistency from season to season and showcase clear vineyard site expression producing wines with great intensity and individuality. The vineyards are all planted on gravelly soil types with an underlying stony-clay base, characterized by excellent drainage properties. Matured in 50% new and 50% two-year-old fine-grained French oak for 18 months, there is an intensity of blackcurrant and black cherry fruit matched with a wonderful coolness and that classic bay-leaf sappiness that makes this wine so unique and delicious. A terrifically classy wine.

The palate displays sweet dark and red berry fruit with earthy gravelly notes. Hints of graphite and bayleaf add a savoury element to the wine. The wine is rich and complex with great length and balance supported by fine-grained tannins and seamlessly integrated French oak.