Cabernet Blend 2013 – Black Market Deal #49196

With eleven years of bottle age, this wine has developed beautiful secondary characteristics that only come with proper cellaring. The primary fruit flavours have evolved beyond simple cassis and strawberry to reveal complex layers of herbs, earthiness, and cedary oak notes. This maturation process has softened the tannins and integrated all elements harmoniously, creating the perfect drinking window for maximum enjoyment.

Frankland River's cool climate and ancient soils create exceptional conditions for premium Cabernet varieties. The region's long, dry summers allow for extended ripening periods, developing intense flavours while maintaining natural acidity. The cooler nights preserve the wine's structure and enable the development of those distinctive pencil shaving and earthy characteristics that define great Western Australian Cabernet.

By fermenting and oak-ageing each variety separately for 20 months, the winemaker can optimise each component's development before blending. This technique allows the Cabernet Sauvignon to develop its classic structure, the Cabernet Franc to contribute herbaceous complexity, and the Malbec to add colour and spice. The final blend, crafted just before bottling, ensures each variety maintains its distinct character while creating seamless integration.

The wine's full-bodied nature and developed secondary flavours make it perfect for rich, savoury dishes. The earthy and cedary notes complement aged beef, lamb with herbs, or mature hard cheeses beautifully. The caramel hints from extended ageing also pair wonderfully with dishes featuring roasted vegetables or mushroom-based sauces, while the maintained fruit core can handle bold flavours like game meats.

Old vine fruit typically produces more concentrated, complex wines due to the established root systems that access deeper soil layers and diverse mineral profiles. These mature vines naturally yield smaller crops, concentrating flavours and creating wines with greater depth and longevity. The oldest blocks often represent the best terroir on the property, chosen by previous generations for their superior growing conditions and consistent quality.