There are some consumers that prefer varietal wines and harbour an aversion for blended wines. Both have their merits however and understanding the motivations of each winemaking philosophy provides a vital setting to enjoy both. Winemakers approach making varietals with an eye for showcasing ‘varietal’ detail; those individual flavour characteristics unique to the variety. This idea can be extended somewhat with a sense of pure expression with so-called ‘single vineyard’ wines that further provide unique site-specific varietal characters.
My impression with blends is that arguably, even with components from a single vineyard, we see the nuances and bias of the individual palate of the winemaker, whereas for blends, winemakers use grape varieties much in the same way craftspeople use many and varied tools to achieve their desired creation. Blended wines do capture the signature of the winemaker or the ‘house’ on show. We must remember, varietal labelling on wines is very much a new world branding device. Traditionally, wine is marketed on the merits of the ‘House’ or winery, and the region, with (often) many blended grape varieties performing as members of a cast to produce the act, so to speak (think of the wines of Bordeaux, Rhone and Champagne for instance).
So, in Bunnamagoo Cabernet Sauvignon and Bunnamagoo Cabernet Shiraz Merlot, we offer two great examples of each philosophy that will certainly evoke individual preference, capturing hearts over minds and/or vice versa. It is my hope you enjoy both!