2004 Dutschke WillowBend

(Content for this article has been provided by Brenda Dutschke)

MERLOT/SHIRAZ/CABERNET

Rated 90 points in The Wine Advocate, Robert Parker, 2006

WillowBend, our blend of Merlot, Shiraz and Cabernet Sauvignon, is produced from our Merlot vines planted in 1980, Cabernet planted in 1978 and Shiraz in 1975. The vines grow on our “St. Jakobi” family vineyard, the property purchased by my grandfather Oscar Semmler in the 1930s.

The blend of these three varieties was chosen for our first WillowBend back in 1990 and has been a consistent full and flavor rich wine over the years. The idea has always been to produce a wine by blending those varieties that perform best in our vineyard.

The Merlot (35%) and Shiraz (33%) provide the ripe sweet fruit palate and the Cabernet Sauvignon (32%) gives the firm tannin structure.

After years in the bottle the older "WillowBend’s" have also shown great complex characters while still maintaining their fresh fruit flavors. WillowBend is typically a very good wine to drink now or to lie down for a few years to soften and become more complex.

Dutschke winery "WillowBend"

Winemaker: Wayne Dutschke
Vineyard: Ken Semmler’s St Jakobi Vineyard
Region: Lyndoch, Barossa Valley, South Australia
Harvest Date: Merlot 18th March and Cabernet Sauvignon 19th March, Shiraz 13th April 2004

Varietal Percentages: 35% Merlot, 33% Shiraz, 32% Cabernet Sauvignon.
Alcohol: 14.0%
Oak Maturation: 20 months in New and Older American & French Hogsheads
Cellaring potential: 5-8 years