Wantirna Estate Amelia Cabernet Sauvignon Merlot 2024 750ml

“Old vine Yarra Cabernet blend with black berries, violets, cedar and long fine tannins.”

Wantirna Estate Amelia Cabernet Sauvignon Merlot 2024 is a beautifully composed Yarra Valley Cabernet blend from one of the region’s genuine pioneering estates.

The 2024 comes from a particularly strong season, producing concentrated blackberry, blackcurrant and red berry fruit with violets, cedar and savoury spice. The palate is medium bodied, finely structured and remarkably persistent, with generous fruit supported by the long, elegant tannins that have become a hallmark of Wantirna’s old vines. Wantirna describes the vintage as showing exceptional concentration and a complex mix of berry flavours.

This is classic Yarra Cabernet territory. Plenty of flavour and structure, but without trying to flatten you with weight. It is serious wine, just with very good manners.

Tasting Notes

Aroma: Blackcurrant, blackberry and red berries with violets, cedar and subtle savoury spice.

Palate: Medium bodied and concentrated with dark berries, fresh acidity and fine, persistent tannins.

Finish: Long and composed with lingering cassis, cedar, violet and savoury complexity.

Halliday Wine Companion - 98+ Points 

47/44/9% cabernet sauvignon/merlot and cabernet franc field blend/petit verdot. A gorgeous, bright, crimson purple. This soars effortlessly from the glass with its aromas of pure blackcurrant, dark raspberry and gentle cedar and floral notes. The more you swirl this, the more perfumed it becomes! Medium bodied, this is just as fragrant on the palate, which is simultaneously concentrated, structured, elegant and very long. A simply superb wine. Philip Rich

Serving Suggestions

Excellent with roast lamb, grilled steak, slow cooked beef and mushroom dishes.

It also works beautifully with aged cheddar and other firm cheeses. If opening it young, give it some time in the glass to let the perfume and tannins settle into place.

About The Winery

Wantirna Estate is one of the pioneering vineyards of the modern Yarra Valley, with vines first planted in 1963. The estate remains a tiny single vineyard operation, with many of those original vines still forming the backbone of the wines today.

Amelia is the estate’s Cabernet based blend, combining Cabernet Sauvignon with Merlot, Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot. Production is very small, and the 2024 release was made in smaller quantities than usual.

There are wineries that spend a great deal of effort telling you how important they are. Wantirna has spent more than 60 years making the point in the bottle.

Cellaring Potential

This is built to age.

Gary Walsh reviewed the 2024 vintage specifically and gives it a drinking window of 2028 to 2043+, which gives you a very clear idea of the structure and longevity here.

It can certainly be enjoyed earlier for its concentrated fruit and perfume, but patience should bring more cedar, tobacco and savoury complexity.

Details

Producer: Wantirna Estate
Vintage: 2024
Blend: Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Petit Verdot
Region: Yarra Valley, Victoria
Bottle Size: 750ml
Wine Style: Premium Yarra Valley Cabernet Blend
Wine Sweetness: Dry
Wine Body: Medium Bodied
ABV: 13%
Closure: Screw Cap
Key Flavours: Blackcurrant, Blackberry, Red Berries, Violet, Cedar, Savoury Spice