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2006 Tasting Notes

2006 Willowbend

Shiraz, Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon

WillowBend is where it all started for us. Back in 1990 Ken and I put our first red blend of Shiraz, Merlot, and Cabernet together and packaged it under what was then the WillowBend brand. Since then our brand has changed to Dutschke, but WillowBend has continued on as our blended red.

The idea has always been to produce a consistently full and flavoursome wine by blending the varieties that perform best in our vineyard. We've done very little differently in putting this blend together since our first, some 18 Vintages ago. Produced from Shiraz planted in 1975, Merlot vines planted in 1980, and Cabernet Sauvignon in 1978, the vines grow on our "St. Jakobi" family vineyard, the property purchased by my grandfather Oscar Semmler in the 1930s.

The Shiraz (36%), and Merlot (33%) provide the ripe sweet fruit palate while the Cabernet Sauvignon (31%) gives structure and tannin support.

After years in the bottle the older "WillowBends" have also shown great complex characters while still maintaining their fresh fruit flavours. WillowBend is typically a very good wine to drink now, or it will benefit further by lying it down for a few years to complex with extra bottle aging.

We trust you'll enjoy it!

More Information

Winemaker:
Wayne Dutschke
Vineyard:
Ken Semmler's St. Jakobi Vineyard
Region:
Lyndoch, Barossa Valley, South Australia
Harvest Date:
Shiraz 17th March, Cabernet Sauvignon 10th April and Merlot 13th April 2006
Varietal Percentages:
36% Shiraz, 33% Merlot, 31% Cabernet Sauvignon.
Alcohol:
14.8%
Oak Maturaton:
18 months in New and Older American & French Hogsheads
Cellaring potential:
5-8 years

Scores

“Vibrant plums, red cherries and red currants are supported with balanced oak, firm, fine tannins and an attractive, mouth-filling texture. Great value, as always. - 92pts”

- WBM 100 - June 2008

Gold Medal

- 2008 Barossa Valley Wine Show

“The 2006 WillowBend, a blend of 36% Shiraz, 33% Merlot, and 31% Cabernet Sauvignon. It is produced from estate-grown fruit with vine age ranging from 28 to 33 years and spent 18 months in a mix of new and used French and American oak hogsheads (300-liter barrels). Purple-colored, it offers a fragrant bouquet of cedar, spice box, cassis, black cherry, and blueberry. Medium to full-bodied on the palate, it has plenty of succulent fruit in its forward personality. Although this lengthy effort may evolve for a year or two, it can be enjoyed now. It is an excellent value - 89pts”

- Wine Advocate - February 2009

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