{"product_id":"medhurst-wines-estate-cabernet-merlot-malbec-2023","title":"2023 Medhurst Estate Cabernet Sauvignon Merlot Malbec | 96 Point Yarra Valley Red","description":"\u003ch3\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e🏆 96 HALLIDAY | TOP 100 WINES | TOP GOLD | ONE OF THE YARRA VALLEY'S STAR CABERNET BLENDS\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eA beautifully composed Yarra Valley Bordeaux-inspired red blend\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eThis is exactly the sort of wine serious Cabernet drinkers should be looking for.\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e96 Points – Halliday Wine Companion\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003ch3 class=\"PDq2pG_selectionAnchorContainer\"\u003eYarra Valley, Victoria\u003cspan class=\"PDq2pG_selectionAnchor\"\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\n\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eRRP $46.50 a bottle\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003e96 Points for $46.50 – This Is Seriously Good Buying\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis could be one of the sleepers in the entire \u003cstrong\u003eMedhurst\u003c\/strong\u003e range.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe \u003cstrong\u003e2023 Medhurst Estate Cabernet Sauvignon Merlot Malbec\u003c\/strong\u003e takes the classic structure of Cabernet Sauvignon and builds around it with the flesh and generosity of Merlot and the colour, perfume and dark-fruited intensity of Malbec.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe result is a beautifully composed \u003cstrong\u003eYarra Valley Bordeaux-inspired red blend\u003c\/strong\u003e with elegance, structure and genuine cellaring potential.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eHalliday Wine Companion lists the 2023 as a \u003cstrong\u003eCabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Malbec blend\u003c\/strong\u003e, with \u003cstrong\u003e13.5% alcohol\u003c\/strong\u003e. \u003cspan class=\"contents\"\u003e\u003cspan class=\"\"\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAnd with your \u003cstrong\u003e96-point Halliday Wine Companion score\u003c\/strong\u003e and an RRP of only \u003cstrong\u003e$46.50\u003c\/strong\u003e, the value proposition is exceptional.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003e96 Points – Halliday Wine Companion\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e96 Points – Halliday Wine Companion\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThat's a massive result for a sub-$50 red.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eHalliday tasted the wine in November 2024 and recorded an original tasted price of $45, confirming just how strongly this wine sits in the value end of premium Yarra Valley Cabernet blends. \u003cspan class=\"contents\"\u003e\u003cspan class=\"\"\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis is exactly the sort of wine serious Cabernet drinkers should be looking for.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIt has pedigree and structure, but you don't need to spend $100+ to get it.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eTasting Notes\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eExpect a beautifully layered red showing:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eBlackberry\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eCassis\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eBlackcurrant\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eBlack plum\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eDark cherry\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eTobacco\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eCedar\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eMocha and spice\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eDried herbs\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eFine-grained tannins\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe style is \u003cstrong\u003evibrant, aromatic and medium-bodied\u003c\/strong\u003e, rather than enormous or heavily extracted. Current tasting descriptions highlight blackberry, cassis and plum alongside tobacco, cedar and mocha spice, with fine tannins and balanced acidity. \u003cspan class=\"contents\"\u003e\u003cspan class=\"\"\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThere's plenty of fruit through the middle of the palate, but the real appeal is the savoury complexity underneath.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDark fruit. Cedar. Tobacco. Spice. Fine tannin. Freshness.\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThat's classic Cabernet-blend territory.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eCabernet + Merlot + Malbec\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis is a fascinating blend because each variety brings something different.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eCabernet Sauvignon\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe backbone.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eCabernet contributes \u003cstrong\u003ecassis, blackcurrant, structure, tannin and longevity\u003c\/strong\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eMerlot\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe flesh.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eMerlot brings \u003cstrong\u003eplum, softness and mid-palate generosity\u003c\/strong\u003e, rounding out Cabernet's firmer structure.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eMalbec\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe seasoning.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eMalbec contributes \u003cstrong\u003ecolour, perfume, dark fruit and spice\u003c\/strong\u003e, giving the finished wine another layer of personality.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eMedhurst planted small parcels of \u003cstrong\u003eMerlot and Malbec in 2017 specifically to contribute to its Cabernet blending program\u003c\/strong\u003e. \u003cspan class=\"contents\"\u003e\u003cspan class=\"\"\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThat's important.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThese varieties weren't an afterthought.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThey were planted specifically to give Medhurst more blending options and allow the estate to build greater complexity around its Cabernet.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eA Yarra Valley Take on the Bordeaux Blend\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eCabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Malbec immediately takes you towards \u003cstrong\u003eBordeaux\u003c\/strong\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eBut this isn't trying to taste like Bordeaux.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIt's a Yarra Valley interpretation.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe cooler climate gives the wine a more \u003cstrong\u003efragrant, medium-bodied and energetic personality\u003c\/strong\u003e, rather than the massive concentration you might associate with warmer Australian Cabernet blends.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAnd at \u003cstrong\u003e13.5% alcohol\u003c\/strong\u003e, the 2023 retains that sense of balance and restraint. \u003cspan class=\"contents\"\u003e\u003cspan class=\"\"\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThat's why Yarra Valley Cabernet blends can be so good.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThey combine ripe fruit with \u003cstrong\u003eperfume, savoury complexity, acidity and fine tannins\u003c\/strong\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eBest Cabernet Blend – Yarra Valley Wine Show\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThere's another reason this wine deserves attention.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe 2023 Medhurst Cabernet Merlot Malbec is also reported as winning \u003cstrong\u003eBest Cabernet Blend at the 2024 Yarra Valley Wine Show\u003c\/strong\u003e. \u003cspan class=\"contents\"\u003e\u003cspan class=\"\"\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSo you have:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e96 Points – Halliday Wine Companion\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eBest Cabernet Blend – Yarra Valley Wine Show\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAt \u003cstrong\u003eRRP $46.50\u003c\/strong\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThat's a seriously impressive combination.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eMedhurst – Gruyere, Yarra Valley\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eMedhurst's estate sits at \u003cstrong\u003eGruyere in the Yarra Valley\u003c\/strong\u003e, with just \u003cstrong\u003e12.5 hectares under vine\u003c\/strong\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIt's a genuinely small operation.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe winery describes its philosophy as producing wines with \u003cstrong\u003epurity, freshness and structure\u003c\/strong\u003e, designed to reflect the site from which they come. \u003cspan class=\"contents\"\u003e\u003cspan class=\"\"\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe Estate range is specifically positioned as a \u003cstrong\u003epure expression of the Medhurst site and season\u003c\/strong\u003e. \u003cspan class=\"contents\"\u003e\u003cspan class=\"\"\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThat makes this much more than simply an inexpensive Cabernet blend.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIt's an estate wine with a genuine vineyard story behind it.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eThe Smart Buy in the Medhurst Cabernet Range\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIf you're looking across the Medhurst reds, this wine makes a lot of sense.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eMedhurst Estate Cabernet Sauvignon\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eMore Cabernet-driven • Cassis • Structure • Cedar • Cellaring\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eMedhurst Estate Cabernet Merlot Malbec\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eMore supple • Plum • Dark berries • Spice • Immediate complexity\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eMedhurst Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eSmall-batch • Concentrated • Structured • Mature • Flagship\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe \u003cstrong\u003eCabernet Merlot Malbec\u003c\/strong\u003e sits in a particularly attractive position.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eYou get serious Cabernet structure, but the Merlot and Malbec make the wine more generous and immediately approachable.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAnd at \u003cstrong\u003e$46.50\u003c\/strong\u003e, the value is hard to ignore.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eFood Pairings\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis is a fantastic food wine.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eTry it with:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eRib-eye steak\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eSlow-braised beef cheeks\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eRoast lamb\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eLamb shoulder\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eWild boar ragù\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eBeef bourguignon\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eCharcuterie\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eMushroom dishes\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eHard cheeses\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eRib-eye, slow-braised beef cheek and wild boar ragù have all been suggested as particularly good matches for the 2023. \u003cspan class=\"contents\"\u003e\u003cspan class=\"\"\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eI'd go straight for \u003cstrong\u003eslow-cooked beef cheeks\u003c\/strong\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe richness of the meat would work beautifully with the wine's cassis, plum, cedar and fine tannin structure.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eDrinking \u0026amp; Cellaring\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThere's plenty to enjoy right now.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe Merlot and Malbec bring enough generosity to make the wine approachable young, while Cabernet provides the structure for further development.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDrink now–2034+.\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eGive it \u003cstrong\u003e30–60 minutes in a decanter\u003c\/strong\u003e if you're opening it young.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOver time, expect the fresh blackberry, cassis and plum characters to move towards more complex \u003cstrong\u003ecedar, tobacco, earth and dried-herb notes\u003c\/strong\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eWhy We Love It\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis is exactly the sort of wine we love finding.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIt's not the most expensive wine in the range.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIt doesn't carry the Reserve label.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eBut look at what you're getting:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e96 Points – Halliday Wine Companion\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eBest Cabernet Blend – Yarra Valley Wine Show\u003c\/strong\u003e \u003cspan class=\"contents\"\u003e\u003cspan class=\"\"\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCabernet Sauvignon + Merlot + Malbec\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eEstate-grown Yarra Valley pedigree\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e13.5% alcohol\u003c\/strong\u003e \u003cspan class=\"contents\"\u003e\u003cspan class=\"\"\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eRRP $46.50\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAnd the flavour profile is classic:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eBlackberry. Cassis. Plum. Cedar. Tobacco. Mocha. Spice. Fine tannins.\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eFor \u003cstrong\u003e$46.50\u003c\/strong\u003e, this seriously over-delivers.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIf you love the classic Cabernet-based wines of the Yarra Valley but want something a little softer, more generous and immediately approachable, \u003cstrong\u003ethe 2023 Medhurst Estate Cabernet Sauvignon Merlot Malbec is an absolute winner\u003c\/strong\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e96 Halliday points, regional trophy-winning pedigree and under $50 RRP—this might be one of the smartest buys in the Medhurst range.\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Medhurst Wines","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":52418280161582,"sku":null,"price":46.5,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0950\/5010\/5134\/files\/2023MedhurstEstateCabernetSauvignonMerlotMalbec.png?v=1786676415","url":"https:\/\/liquidvibe.com.au\/products\/medhurst-wines-estate-cabernet-merlot-malbec-2023","provider":"liquidvibe.com.au","version":"1.0","type":"link"}