Clairault Estate Cabernet Merlot 2000

Clairault began in 1976 when Ian and Ani Lewis bought 4 hectares and planted their first vines. In 2012, Clairault and Streicker Wines were combined and today there are over 300 hectares under vine, all managed with sustainability in mind.

"The medium-bodied, juicy Clairault Cabernet Merlot 2000 offers up a juicy, appealing mouthful of raspberry, wild strawberry fruit, with some complex and clever use of oak adding a delicious, mealy nuance. There's some subtle leafiness and cleansing tannins to close. A well-made, textured wine."  The Australian Review of Wines

"The 2000 Estate Cabernet Merlot is made up of 68% Cabernet Sauvignon and 32% Merlot. The blend combines the backbone of Cabernet Sauvignon with the soft, plummy and spicy characteristics of Merlot. The nose shows slightly smoky, earthy, briar berry characters with a hint of cedary oak, while the palate has soft, juicy plum and cherry flavours. The mouth-filling sweet fruit is balanced by a fine tannin grip and nicely handled oak. The persistence, harmony and fruit intensity are clear indicators of the wine's quality. The finish has good weight, length and complexity while still displaying finesse."  Clairault Estate

Expert reviews

"The medium-bodied, juicy Clairault Cabernet Merlot 2000 can receive up to three weeks on skins (post fermentation) and offers up a juicy, appealing mouthful of raspberry, wild strawberry fruit, with some complex and clever use of oak adding a delicious, mealy nuance. There's some subtle leafiness and cleansing tannins to close. A well-made, textured wine."  The Australian Review of Wines

The Vineyards

Ironstone Vineyard

The Ironstone Vineyard is one of the oldest vineyards in the Margaret River Region in the sub-region of Wilyabrup. Its soils are exceptionally well suited for premium viticulture use.

West of the planted area toward the Indian Ocean, a previous owner had created a pine plantation with disastrous results. As the pines grew, the water table at the vineyards dropped, stressing the vines. The pine plantation also became a haven for kangaroos whose nightly frolics damaged vines and trellises.

Streicker Wines acquired the property in 2003 and implemented a rehabilitation plan that included building a dam to increase water capacity, removing the pine trees, and pruning and reworking the vines. The results are exciting. Not only are the vines robust and healthy, but because the roots had grown deeper when the water table was low, they now pass through a variety of soil types that add great subtleties to the rich flavours of this premium block.

Yallingup Vineyard

The Yallingup Protea Farm and Vineyards is set on 297 acres in the Yallingup sub-region of the Margaret River Region. The Yallingup property was the first vineyard acquired by Streicker Wines in 2002. Besides wine grapes, both table grapes and flowers are grown at this property. Of the total of 104 acres currently planted at Yallingup, approximately 74 are devoted to grape vines.

Bridgeland Vineyard

The Bridgeland Vineyard is one of the most picturesque properties in the Margaret River wine region. Originally developed from prime farming land in 1998/99 under its previous owner, the vineyard has shown clear signs that it has the potential to produce wines of exceptionally high quality.

This 512-acre property has one of the largest dams in the region, approximately 0.6 miles in length and covering about 44.5 acres. Bridgelands is the southernmost vineyard in the portfolio, with a cooler climate and longer growing season than the other vineyards.

About the winery

Clairault began in 1976 when Ian and Ani Lewis bought 4 hectares and planted their first vines. Resilient and visionary, they worked their vineyard diligently — crafting their first vintage in 1980. For the next 19 years, they developed and expanded the Clairault property to over 68 hectares.

The Lewises passed sold the property in 1999 to Bill Martin and his family and both the vineyards and the winemaking facilities received upgrades - including the introduction of low-intervention, biological farming practices and the addition of the Caves Road entrance with its spectacularly scenic drive to the winery. Shortly thereafter in 2002, John Streicker acquired the neighbouring Yallingup Protea Farm together with its vineyards planted in 1996. By 2006 Streicker Wines released its first vintage.

In 2012 the operations of Clairault and Streicker were combined, and today, Clairault/Streicker Wines has over 300 hectares under vine, all managed with sustainability in mind and all accredited with Entwine.