Balnaves The Blend 2008

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NOTES

Balnaves, located at the cooler, southern end of Coonawarra, originally grew grapes for local wineries. In 1990 the family created the Balnaves brand, having the wine made off site until the mid nineties. After building a winery in the mid nineties they hired former Wynn’s winemaker Pete Bissell. The wines show real polish – beautifully made and with ripe berry flavours at the core.

TASTING NOTES

The 2008 The Blend was blended from 74% Cabernet Sauvignon, 25% Merlot and 1% of Cabernet Franc, the wine was matured in new and mostly used French oak for 15 months prior to fining and bottling in August 2009.Deep red colour, with dark blackberry/blueberry fruit and very subtle vanillian oak. The palate is full bodied, round and fleshy with dark berry fruit, spice and very soft tannins and a lingering blackberry finish. This wine will improve with decanting before drinking.

REVIEWS

A blend of Cabernet Sauvignon (75%)/Merlot (25%) and an irrelevant 1% of other varieties; has excellent colour, and a racy character to the cassis, blackcurrant and spice fruit obscured by the sheer power of the other Balnave reds. Can be enjoyed at any time from now to kingdom come. Screwcap. 14.5% alc. Rating 94 Drink 2020 James Halliday, www.winecompanion.com.au Tasted March 2010