Claret Ash – Cabernet Merlot

Description

A tasty combination of 71% Cabernet Sauvignon and 29% Merlot creates an excellent red wine with hints of soft young berry fruits with a lingering aftertaste. Vol. 12.7%

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What does Cedar Creek Estate Claret Ash Cabernet Merlot taste like?

A: Cedar Creek Estate Claret Ash is a delightful blend of 71% Cabernet Sauvignon and 29% Merlot that delivers soft, young berry fruits on the nose and palate, with a smooth, lingering aftertaste. At 12.7% alcohol by volume, it is a medium-bodied red wine with approachable tannins, making it an ideal everyday drinking red that is accessible for a wide range of palates. The youthful berry fruit character is a hallmark of the Queensland style – fresh, vibrant, and easy to enjoy.

Q: What is a Cabernet Merlot blend and why is it popular?

A: A Cabernet Merlot blend combines the structure and blackcurrant intensity of Cabernet Sauvignon with the softness, plummy fruit, and smoothness of Merlot. The two grapes have been blended together since the great châteaux of Bordeaux, France, established the style centuries ago. Cabernet Sauvignon provides the backbone – firm tannins, cassis, and cellar-worthiness – while Merlot rounds out the edges, adding plum, cherry, and velvety texture. The result is typically a more approachable red than straight Cabernet, ideal for enjoying young while retaining enough character for medium-term cellaring.

Q: What is the origin of Cabernet Sauvignon?

A: Cabernet Sauvignon is the world’s most widely planted red wine grape variety, believed to have originated in France’s Bordeaux region as a natural crossing of Cabernet Franc and Sauvignon Blanc. Its parentage was identified through DNA profiling in the late 1990s. The grape produces wines of great structure, age-worthiness, and consistent blackcurrant (cassis) character across a wide range of climates. In Australia, Cabernet Sauvignon found early success in the Coonawarra and Margaret River regions, and is now grown across all major wine states, including Queensland.

Q: What is Merlot and where does it originate?

A: Merlot is a blue-black grape variety originating from the Bordeaux region of France, where it is the dominant variety in the prestigious Pomerol and Saint-Émilion appellations. Its name is believed to derive from the French word for blackbird, perhaps referencing the deep colour of the ripe berries. Merlot produces wines with soft tannins, plummy and cherry fruit character, and a smooth, velvety texture that makes it one of the most approachable red wine varieties in the world. When blended with Cabernet Sauvignon, as in Cedar Creek’s Claret Ash, Merlot adds flesh and accessibility to the blend.

Q: What does “Claret” mean in wine terminology?

A: “Claret” is a traditional English term historically used to describe red Bordeaux wines imported from France. It derives from the old French word “clairet,” meaning a light red or dark rosé wine. In Australia, “claret” was commonly used through the 20th century to describe dry red blends of Cabernet and other Bordeaux varieties, particularly those in a medium-bodied, food-friendly style. Cedar Creek Estate’s Claret Ash name pays homage to this traditional terminology while incorporating the “Ash” element, which may reference the distinctive grey-barked ash trees that are part of the Tamborine Mountain landscape.

Q: What food pairs with Cedar Creek Estate Claret Ash Cabernet Merlot?

A: Claret Ash Cabernet Merlot’s soft berry fruit and gentle tannins make it a versatile food wine. It pairs beautifully with roasted lamb, beef burgers, sausages, charcuterie boards, hard cheeses like cheddar or manchego, and pasta with meat-based sauces. The wine’s youthful, approachable style also makes it an enjoyable companion to pizza, mild curries, and even a simple cheese platter. For an informal Australian barbecue, this is an ideal everyday red.

Q: How much does Cedar Creek Estate Claret Ash Cabernet Merlot cost?

A: Cedar Creek Estate Claret Ash – Cabernet Merlot is priced at $35 per bottle, available online at cedarcreekestatewinery.com.au/product/claret-ash-cabernet-merlot/. A super-value carton of 12 bottles is available for $326.40, representing a saving compared to purchasing individually. The wine also features in the Mountain Pack wine bundle ($188 for six bottles).

Q: What are the serving suggestions for Claret Ash Cabernet Merlot?

A: Cedar Creek Estate Claret Ash Cabernet Merlot is best served at a temperature of around 16 to 18 degrees Celsius – slightly below room temperature in Queensland’s warm climate. Allowing the wine to breathe in a decanter for 15 to 30 minutes before serving will help open up the fruit aromas. Given the wine’s fresh, youthful style, it is best enjoyed within three to five years of the vintage date. Store bottles in a cool, dark location on their side until ready to serve.

Q: What is the alcohol content of Claret Ash Cabernet Merlot?

A: Cedar Creek Estate Claret Ash – Cabernet Merlot has an alcohol by volume (ABV) of 12.7%, placing it in the medium range for red wines. This moderate alcohol level allows the fruit character to shine without the wine feeling heavy or warm, making it approachable for a wide range of wine drinkers. The balanced blend of Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot produces a harmonious wine ideal for everyday enjoyment.