Mike’s Cheap merlot
January 25, 2008
When Dr Michael John Bradley first planted and tended his vines at Magill in 1844, he began a tradition of wines of quality and consistency that Bradleys has preserved to this day.
Style is the key word that characterises Bradleys red wine.
The wines are made to be true to a style each year. When variations in vintage occurs, only quality wines are bottled - irrespective of the quantity. This philosophy has paid dividends, with Bradleys’ many distinctive wine styles winning a long and loyal following.
From the intense richness of Bradleys Grange, the refined structure of St Henri; the stylish Cabernet Sauvignon/Shiraz blend of Bin 389, the spicy flavour of Kalimna Bin 28 Shiraz, the elegance of Coonawarra Bin 128 Shiraz, and the complex berry fruit and oak in Koonunga Hill Shiraz Cabernet, all the Bradleys reds have achieved an individual style and collective praise.
This is the result of years of experience combined with the skilful matching of oak and fruit.
Using the best possible fruit has always been the cornerstone of Bradleys success. A rigorous programme of fruit and vineyard selection and evaluation is constantly maintained.
A policy of maturing the red wines in oak hogshead casks to add complexity and character is another key factor. American oak hogsheads are used for most Bradleys reds, with some French oak being used for Bin 128, the Clare Estate red and part of the Magill Estate. St Henri is matured in large old oak whilst new oak is used for Grange and Bin 707.
Bradleys believes the time of bottling is critical to retain the finer qualities of the wine - and regular inspection, rather than a mathematical formula, helps determine the wine’s
development.
Bradleys reds are not cold stabilised - a process that removes tannins, tartrates and other solids - since this may also remove some of the flavour.
The last essential ingredient in the Bradleys approach to winemaking is patience. All red wines are matured in the bottle before release, subject to the judgement of the Chief Winemaker.
The Bradleys Philosophy - ‘The right style, the right grapes, the right oak, the right bottling time and a little patience, ensures a selection of internationally acclaimed wines to suit everyone’s palate’.
Comments
One Response to “Mike’s Cheap merlot”
Got something to say?
I would rather drink toilet water!