Philip Rich Halliday Wine
2021 Wantirna Estate Amelia cabernet merlot
2023 marked the 60th year since the first vines were planted at Wantirna Estate. A wonderful milestone for this small producer who is only a stone's throw away from Glen Waverley train station in suburban Melbourne. A blend of approximately 55/35/10% cabernet/cabernet franc, merlot mix/petit verdot, the 2021 is a superb rendition of this wine. A bright, medium crimson purple, this is redolent of black and sour cherries, blackcurrants, gentle cedar notes from the perfectly handled oak, dried herbs and crushed violets. Medium bodied, this persistent, structured and perfectly balanced wine is the epitome of Yarra cabernet. That it will age effortlessly over the next 10–15 years (plus) is a given. 96
2021 Wantirna Estate Amelia cabernet merlot
2023 marked the 60th year since the first vines were planted at Wantirna Estate. A wonderful milestone for this small producer who is only a stone's throw away from Glen Waverley train station in suburban Melbourne. A blend of approximately 55/35/10% cabernet/cabernet franc, merlot mix/petit verdot, the 2021 is a superb rendition of this wine. A bright, medium crimson purple, this is redolent of black and sour cherries, blackcurrants, gentle cedar notes from the perfectly handled oak, dried herbs and crushed violets. Medium bodied, this persistent, structured and perfectly balanced wine is the epitome of Yarra cabernet. That it will age effortlessly over the next 10–15 years (plus) is a given. 96
Philip Rich Halliday Wine
2020 Wantirna Estate Amelia cabernet merlot
Gently perfumed with aromas of new season cherries, lilac and a little cigar box already starting to emerge. The medium-bodied, bordeaux-like palate is supported by lively acidity and fine, gravelly tannins. Give this time to open up if you're drinking it now, and for those putting some down, this should age effortlessly over the next five to 15 years. 96
2020 Wantirna Estate Amelia cabernet merlot
Gently perfumed with aromas of new season cherries, lilac and a little cigar box already starting to emerge. The medium-bodied, bordeaux-like palate is supported by lively acidity and fine, gravelly tannins. Give this time to open up if you're drinking it now, and for those putting some down, this should age effortlessly over the next five to 15 years. 96
Gary Walsh - The Winefront
2019 Wantirna Estate Amelia cabernet merlot
One of my most favourite wines. Blackcurrant, blackberry, sarsaparilla/liquorice pastille, so much violet here, and spiced cedar oak. Medium-bodied, dark fruit with some redcurrant in the mix, tobacco and pencils, a little chew to gravelly tannin, fresh too, with a firm long finish. Delivers so much flavour without being heavy. Beautiful.
2019 Wantirna Estate Amelia cabernet merlot
One of my most favourite wines. Blackcurrant, blackberry, sarsaparilla/liquorice pastille, so much violet here, and spiced cedar oak. Medium-bodied, dark fruit with some redcurrant in the mix, tobacco and pencils, a little chew to gravelly tannin, fresh too, with a firm long finish. Delivers so much flavour without being heavy. Beautiful.
Campbell Mattinson - The Winefront
2018 Wantirna Estate Amelia cabernet merlot
Yarra Valley cabernet is a magnificent beast. Chardonnay and Pinot Noir grab all the headlines. Meanwhile, for those who know what is what, cabernet rules, especially outside of the upper reaches of the region.
This is a beauty. In that, it’s a wine of beauty, in the glass, on the table. It’s sure, it’s composed, it’s cohesive and most of all, it’s convincing. It’s a final word of a wine. It tastes of currants and bay leaves, choc and sweet herbs but rattling off flavours is beside the point. This is a wine with a good heart, a good finish and a good story to tell, all of which come draped over a structure of classic design.
2018 Wantirna Estate Amelia cabernet merlot
Yarra Valley cabernet is a magnificent beast. Chardonnay and Pinot Noir grab all the headlines. Meanwhile, for those who know what is what, cabernet rules, especially outside of the upper reaches of the region.
This is a beauty. In that, it’s a wine of beauty, in the glass, on the table. It’s sure, it’s composed, it’s cohesive and most of all, it’s convincing. It’s a final word of a wine. It tastes of currants and bay leaves, choc and sweet herbs but rattling off flavours is beside the point. This is a wine with a good heart, a good finish and a good story to tell, all of which come draped over a structure of classic design.
Tyson Stelzer
2017 Wantirna Estate Amelia cabernet merlot
Every year, this historic vineyard in the Melbourne suburbs delivers one of Victoria's most refined Cabernet blends. Alluring fragrant, impeccably red fruited, structured with super fine tannins and accented with vibrant acid line, it'd delightfully enticing from the outset, yet destined for the long and effortless life.
2017 Wantirna Estate Amelia cabernet merlot
Every year, this historic vineyard in the Melbourne suburbs delivers one of Victoria's most refined Cabernet blends. Alluring fragrant, impeccably red fruited, structured with super fine tannins and accented with vibrant acid line, it'd delightfully enticing from the outset, yet destined for the long and effortless life.
Gary Walsh The WInefront
2017 Wantirna Estate Amelia cabernet merlot
Cabernets and Merlot from the original 1963 plantings, with 5% Petit Verdot coming off the 1989 plantings. All dry grown. Yarra Valley Cabernet from 2017 strikes me as being a more dense, compact year, with fine bones and lithe structure, and I like that very much.
Glorious Cabernet perfume of violet and pencil shavings, mint, blackcurrant and boysenberry, with the theme being intense small black fruit, I guess. It’s medium-bodied, dense and tightly knit, juiciness of blueberry and blackcurrant, layered in with more savoury tobacco flavour, graphite tannin, cool acidity, and a long, almost chocolaty finish. What a delight. Superb.
Campbell Mattinson footnote:
Superb is the word.
2017 Wantirna Estate Amelia cabernet merlot
Cabernets and Merlot from the original 1963 plantings, with 5% Petit Verdot coming off the 1989 plantings. All dry grown. Yarra Valley Cabernet from 2017 strikes me as being a more dense, compact year, with fine bones and lithe structure, and I like that very much.
Glorious Cabernet perfume of violet and pencil shavings, mint, blackcurrant and boysenberry, with the theme being intense small black fruit, I guess. It’s medium-bodied, dense and tightly knit, juiciness of blueberry and blackcurrant, layered in with more savoury tobacco flavour, graphite tannin, cool acidity, and a long, almost chocolaty finish. What a delight. Superb.
Campbell Mattinson footnote:
Superb is the word.
Gary Walsh The WInefront
2016 Wantirna Estate Amelia cabernet merlot 2016
Can’t find a screwcap finished bottle image, but the wine is definitely closed that way. Wines of grace and quiet beauty from this producer. Invariably a treat. Violet and cigar box perfume, red and black fruits, pencils and vanilla. Medium-bodied, fleshy but gentle tannin, deep flavour delivered with a light touch, fine long finish, poise and elegant feel from start to finish. Classic. Beautiful Cabernet.
2016 Wantirna Estate Amelia cabernet merlot 2016
Can’t find a screwcap finished bottle image, but the wine is definitely closed that way. Wines of grace and quiet beauty from this producer. Invariably a treat. Violet and cigar box perfume, red and black fruits, pencils and vanilla. Medium-bodied, fleshy but gentle tannin, deep flavour delivered with a light touch, fine long finish, poise and elegant feel from start to finish. Classic. Beautiful Cabernet.
Campbell Mattinson - Winefront
2015 Wantirna Estate Amelia Cabernet Merlot
A true Bordeaux blend, with Cabernet Sauvignon as the driver. Made mostly from vines planted in 1963 on this beautiful, and unique, Yarra Valley vineyard.
Composure is an underrated virtue. The balance, the grace, the unhurried feel; the cool, dripping juiciness, like cutting into a succulent after a burst of summer rain. This is all mint and boysenberry, cocoa and blackcurrant, mid-weight at most but with an even, flowing feel, like evening wear, light, perfectly tailored. It has charm galore, of course, and the more you look the more intricate its pattern seems. A delight of a wine. Timeless
2015 Wantirna Estate Amelia Cabernet Merlot
A true Bordeaux blend, with Cabernet Sauvignon as the driver. Made mostly from vines planted in 1963 on this beautiful, and unique, Yarra Valley vineyard.
Composure is an underrated virtue. The balance, the grace, the unhurried feel; the cool, dripping juiciness, like cutting into a succulent after a burst of summer rain. This is all mint and boysenberry, cocoa and blackcurrant, mid-weight at most but with an even, flowing feel, like evening wear, light, perfectly tailored. It has charm galore, of course, and the more you look the more intricate its pattern seems. A delight of a wine. Timeless
Tyson Stelzer - Top Nine Australian Estates for 2018
Awarded to the 2015 Amelia in his top 9
Disarmingly youthful and vibrant at more than 3 years of age, this is a Wantirna set to go down amongst the longest-lived and most celebrated of all. Its vibrant hue heralds youthful, fragrance of rose petals and violets, circling a compact core of dense blackcurrent and cassis. Density meets elegance in a very long finish of super fine, enduring tannins
Awarded to the 2015 Amelia in his top 9
Disarmingly youthful and vibrant at more than 3 years of age, this is a Wantirna set to go down amongst the longest-lived and most celebrated of all. Its vibrant hue heralds youthful, fragrance of rose petals and violets, circling a compact core of dense blackcurrent and cassis. Density meets elegance in a very long finish of super fine, enduring tannins
Gary Walsh - WineFront
2014 Wantirna Estate Amelia Cabernet Merlot
Mainly from the original 1963 plantings. The blend is 65% Cabernet Sauvignon, 30% Cabernet Franc + Merlot, and 5% Petit Verdot. Now closed with a screwcap.
Forest berries, camphor chest, violet and black tea. It’s only just medium bodied, but packed with tight thick ropes of tannin that pull the wine surely through the mouth. Plenty of fruit, some tomato paste and olive tapanade savouries in the mix, clean minerally acidity, and a savoury finish of impeccable length. Great Yarra Cabernet here.
2014 Wantirna Estate Amelia Cabernet Merlot
Mainly from the original 1963 plantings. The blend is 65% Cabernet Sauvignon, 30% Cabernet Franc + Merlot, and 5% Petit Verdot. Now closed with a screwcap.
Forest berries, camphor chest, violet and black tea. It’s only just medium bodied, but packed with tight thick ropes of tannin that pull the wine surely through the mouth. Plenty of fruit, some tomato paste and olive tapanade savouries in the mix, clean minerally acidity, and a savoury finish of impeccable length. Great Yarra Cabernet here.
Halliday Wine Companion
2013 Wantirna Estate Amelia Cabernet Merlot
Wantirna Estate always has a gentle hand with its wines, and this is no exception. But this doesn't negate the accumulation of intensity in the cassis and crosscut of chalky tannins, nor the contribution of cedar oak and allied tannins Drink to 2033.
2013 Wantirna Estate Amelia Cabernet Merlot
Wantirna Estate always has a gentle hand with its wines, and this is no exception. But this doesn't negate the accumulation of intensity in the cassis and crosscut of chalky tannins, nor the contribution of cedar oak and allied tannins Drink to 2033.
The Winefront Monthly - Campbell Mattinson
2013 Wantirna Estate Amelia Cabernet Merlot
Class will out, as they say.
This takes elegance to a new level, in a good way. It puts fine into the word finesse. It’s all red berry and earth, cocoa and lead pencil, with a run of mulberried fruit flavour cruising through the core. There are herbs, grassy herbs, but the wine feels ripe, supple and sure. This wine sits at the opposite end of the spectrum to the “blockbuster” style. What it lacks in might, in makes up for in charm, character and length.
2013 Wantirna Estate Amelia Cabernet Merlot
Class will out, as they say.
This takes elegance to a new level, in a good way. It puts fine into the word finesse. It’s all red berry and earth, cocoa and lead pencil, with a run of mulberried fruit flavour cruising through the core. There are herbs, grassy herbs, but the wine feels ripe, supple and sure. This wine sits at the opposite end of the spectrum to the “blockbuster” style. What it lacks in might, in makes up for in charm, character and length.
Jeremy Oliver The Australian Wine Annual 2015
2011 Amelia Cabernet Merlot
Charmingly gentle, smooth and supple, with a delicate, dusty bouquet of light floral notes, sweet black and red berries and restrained cedary oak. It’s finely crafted, elegant and willowy, with a pleasing length of gentle fruit,
reserved oak and supple tannins, finishing with fresh acids
and just a hint of a green edge.
2011 Amelia Cabernet Merlot
Charmingly gentle, smooth and supple, with a delicate, dusty bouquet of light floral notes, sweet black and red berries and restrained cedary oak. It’s finely crafted, elegant and willowy, with a pleasing length of gentle fruit,
reserved oak and supple tannins, finishing with fresh acids
and just a hint of a green edge.
The WineFront - Campbell Mattinson
2011 Wantirna Estate Amelia Cabernet Sauvignon Merlot
Made predominantly with cabernet sauvignon and merlot though cabernet franc and petit verdot also play a role. All estate-grown on Wantirna’s 10-acre vineyard. Yarra Valley. read more
2011 Wantirna Estate Amelia Cabernet Sauvignon Merlot
Made predominantly with cabernet sauvignon and merlot though cabernet franc and petit verdot also play a role. All estate-grown on Wantirna’s 10-acre vineyard. Yarra Valley. read more
Jeremy Oliver WIne Annual 2014
2010 Wantirna Estate Amelia Cabernet Sauvignon Merlot
*Awarded Jeremy's 2nd top Cabernet blend of the year
Yarra cabernet at its finest. Backed by dusty notes of dried herbs and fresh cedar / vanilla oak, it's scented with intense earthy aromas of violets, mulberries and cassis plus a whiff of iris and mint. Supple and finely crafted, it's medium to full-bodied, with a long, plush but supremely elegant presence of fruit of rare purity and translucency. It's supported by a fine, drying and faintly mineral undercarriage of graphite-like tannin, finishing with remarkable persistence, focus and balance.
2010 Wantirna Estate Amelia Cabernet Sauvignon Merlot
*Awarded Jeremy's 2nd top Cabernet blend of the year
Yarra cabernet at its finest. Backed by dusty notes of dried herbs and fresh cedar / vanilla oak, it's scented with intense earthy aromas of violets, mulberries and cassis plus a whiff of iris and mint. Supple and finely crafted, it's medium to full-bodied, with a long, plush but supremely elegant presence of fruit of rare purity and translucency. It's supported by a fine, drying and faintly mineral undercarriage of graphite-like tannin, finishing with remarkable persistence, focus and balance.
Winetaste Weekly - Tyson Stelzer
2010 Wantirna Estate Amelia Cabernet Sauvignon Merlot
Wantirna is one of the great cabernets of Victoria, irresistible in its youth, and it will only improve. Breathtakingly floral, with pristine violet and rose petal lift over impeccable cabernet definition of red- and blackcurrants, capsicum, tobacco leaf and cedar. The palate is ultra-fine and superbly refined, built around pristine red fruits and lingering rose hip perfume, woven seamlessly by the finest silk thread of tannin. Fruit, tannin, acid and oak find delightful integration from the outset, while promising a very long future.
2010 Wantirna Estate Amelia Cabernet Sauvignon Merlot
Wantirna is one of the great cabernets of Victoria, irresistible in its youth, and it will only improve. Breathtakingly floral, with pristine violet and rose petal lift over impeccable cabernet definition of red- and blackcurrants, capsicum, tobacco leaf and cedar. The palate is ultra-fine and superbly refined, built around pristine red fruits and lingering rose hip perfume, woven seamlessly by the finest silk thread of tannin. Fruit, tannin, acid and oak find delightful integration from the outset, while promising a very long future.