Price:

$10.00 per bottle delivered.

First Listed:

March 2007.

Status:

Sold out December 2007 (This wine is still available under cork. See our cleanskin #29 Fleurieu NV Sparkling Merlot Cabernet Shiraz).

Our Comments...

Cherry red in colour with a vigorous mousse when poured. This sparkling Merlot is made in the classic Sparkling Burgundy style and we think it is pretty good. The Merlot gives a soft palate with sweet oak, firm tannins and lots of luscious fruit. Sparkling Burgundy is one of our only indigenous wine styles and it is positively anti-Australian not to drink it regularly!

This wine comes with a Crown Seal. In France where all Méthode Champenoise is bottled initially under a Crown Seal, the experts will remove the Crown Seal with a quick flick of the wrist then close the top of the bottle by the forceful application of the thumb. This requires practice (if practicing have a glass handy and don't wear white), the best option is to open the Crown Seal very slowly in a series of steps allowing the pressure to dissipate after each application of the bottle opener.

Descriptors...

Primary & Secondary Fruit Characters.

Blueberry and chocolate fruit.

Oak.

Butterscotch and coffee.

Palate.

Vibrant mousse, silky smooth tannins with soft Merlot fruit and a gentle confection drying finish.

Food Matching:

Hmmm... just this once forget the food, just drink it!

Cellaring Potential:

Drink soon.

Vintage:

Non vintage, bottled 2006.

Varietal Mix:

Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Shiraz.

Geographical Indication (GI):

Fleurieu Peninsula.

Alcohol Content:

13.5% ALC/VOL. 8.0 Standard drinks per bottle.

Allergens:

Sulphites added.

Bottle:

750 ml Sparkling Wine (Antique Green).

Closure:

Crown Seal (Metallic Silver).

Links...

• Wine X Magazine on Sparkling Burgundy.
• History of Sparkling Burgundy by John Wilson of Wilson's Vineyard Polish Hill River (no association).
• Wikipedia on The Crown Seal.
• Australian Wine and Brandy Corporation on Sparkling Wine.
• Wikipedia on The Fleurieu Peninsula.
• South Australian Tourism on The Fleurieu Peninsula.
• Australian Wine and Brandy Corporation on Generic Australian Wine Names & Traditional Australian Expressions.
• Australian Wine and Brandy Corporation on The Southern Fleurieu Peninsula.
• Australian Wine and Brandy Corporation on Geographical Indications.