2018 Cabernet Sauvignon

The second release of Cabernet Sauvignon for LS Merchants, this fruit for this wine is 100% Houghtons clone and sourced exclusively from the Celestial Bay vineyard in Wilyabrup.

 2018 was an amazing season in contrast to 2017, more akin to 2013 and 2014 with very warm days and nice cool evenings into the drawn-out autumn. This lead to excellent concentration, power and also acid retention.

Selective machine harvested directly to 1T open fermenters. Hand plunged for 2 weeks and then left a further 2 weeks for extended maceration. Basket pressed to 50% new French and 50% one year old French barriques. Aged for 18 months and bottled unfined (no adds apart from SO2)

“The power, intensity and elegance of this great Margaret River vintage is evident from the first sniff of this cracking cabernet from LS Merchants. Leafy aroma, with bay leaf and iodine characters edging into the deeper, dark chocolate and blackcurrant fruit. Such impeccable balance of poise with persistence. Will handle cellaring. This is a substantial structured statement of the region and of cabernet. “

95 points - Ray Jordan

“This has a very fresh array of blackcurrant and cherry aromas with a leafy edge. The palate is super juicy and lively with blackberry and blackcurrant flavors holding fleshy and fresh.”

92 points - Nick Stock for James Suckling

**For license purposes, wines are best ordered in 6 or 12 packs.