Evans & Tate Smooth Operator Margaret River Cabernet Merlot 2017 (Australia)

Evans & Tate Smooth Operator Margaret River Cabernet Merlot 2017 (Australia)Vibrant, deep purple red with an inky black heart in the glass. Unmistakably Cabernet Merlot from Margaret River, with lovely purity and intensely varietal characters of blood plums, violets and bay leaf driving the nose. The palate is elegant with fine, smooth tannins and a richly flavoured core of sweet fruit. The finish is soft, long and effortless; typical of this esteemed blend from Margaret River. Drinking beautifully now and over the next 3 to

Vibrant, deep purple-red with an inky black heart in the glass. Unmistakably Cabernet Merlot from Margaret River, with lovely purity and intensely varietal characters of blood plums, violets and bay leaf driving the nose. The palate is elegant with fine, smooth tannins and a richly flavoured core of sweet fruit. The finish is soft, long and effortless; typical of this esteemed blend from Margaret River. Drinking beautifully now and over the next 3 to 5 years.

Prolonged cool and wet growing season meant that the vines were lush and healthy heading into ripening. The coolest and wettest February and March conditions experienced in Margaret River for more than 15 years meant that harvesting occurred later than usual. April really saved the vintage, with dry conditions allowing the grapes to accumulate flavour and tannin ripeness.

The parcels of fruit used are from strategic locations in the central and northern parts of Margaret River, chosen for their ability to consistently produce a wine with intense colour, ripe fruit and fine, silky tannins. Some parcels of Merlot were picked overnight to ensure they reached the winery as cold as possible.

The separate parcels of fruit were matured in a combination of new and up to 5 year old French oak hogsheads and barriques for between 10 and 16 months. Following blending, the wine was filtered just once and matured in bottle prior to release.