Wine Review: Greg Norman Estates
2005 Limestone Coast Cabernet Merlot
by Jeffrey Reed, Editor, LondonOntarioGolf.com

This is our sixth review of Greg Norman Estates wines – a long-time favourite of London Ontario Golf. And this month’s featured wine – 2005 Limestone Coast Cabernet Merlot – goes right to the top of the leader board as our favourite wine from The Shark.

First of all, how can we not mention Greg Norman’s outstanding performance at the Open Championship? Just like his wine, Norman appears to be getting better with age. Well done, Greg.

Onto the Cabernet Merlot, which in our books is one of the very best offerings to come out of Greg Norman Estates’ Limestone Coast vineyard. Winemaker Andrew Hales deserves much praise for this effort, using fruit sourced from vineyards in Padthaway, Coonawarra and Wrattonbully. Australian red wines from these regions are renowned for their quality and consistency, particularly parcels of fruit from vineyards grown on rich red soils overlying hard limestone rock.

2005 vintage began with a cool, wet spring, followed by extremes of temperature in February. By autumn, however, the weather had settled providing perfect ripening conditions resulting in grapes with excellent flavour and great natural acidity.

The individual vineyard parcels of fruit were harvested then fermented separately in rotary and static fermenters. Careful management of the wine in these fermenters extracted the dark color and rich flavours from the skins without any harsh tannins. The wine was pressed off the skins and racked to new and seasoned French and American oak for maturation prior to blending and bottling.

According to Hales, this blend of Cabernet Sauvignon (91%) and Merlot (9%) is a supple generously flavoured blend, which is always the perfect partner with food. We agree, as we thoroughly enjoyed this wine as it accompanied medium rare T-bone steak, roasted garlic potatoes and green beans – perfect fare for a late Friday evening barbecue with family and friends.

The Greg Norman Estates 2005 Limestone Coast Cabernet Merlot is bright ruby red in color. Vibrant and complex aromas of spicy, red berry fruit, cinnamon and clove spice. The same abundant, vibrant fruit is reflected on the palate which also shows a hint of licorice, sweet cinnamon spice, and subtle cedary French oak. The wine is beautifully structured with soft, velvety tannins, balanced acid and abundant, bright, sweet fruit on the finish. Released in North America in October 2007, it will age nicely up to three to four years.

Looking for a great dinner wine for entertaining this summer? We highly recommend the Greg Norman Estates 2005 Limestone Coast Cabernet Merlot. For information on all of Greg Norman Estates wines, visit www.gregnormanestateswine.com.

Technical Details
Region/Country: Limestone Coast, Australia
Blend: 91% Cabernet Sauvignon, 9% Merlot
Alcohol: 14.5%
pH: 3.48
Total Acidity: 0.62g/100ml
Harvest Date: March to April 2005
U.S. Release Date: October 2007
Price: $24.95