Ferngrove The Stirlings Merlot Cabernet 2001

"Ferngrove's reds typically reveal penetrative and pristine flavours framed by fine, dusty tannins. There's not a single over-ripe or soupy red in sight... Ferngrove's philosophy has been to over-deliver on quality at every price-point."  Jeremy Oliver

Ferngrove Wines is located in the picturesque Frankland River wine sub-region of Great Southern. Established in 1998 by Murray Burton, it is one of the world’s most isolated wine estates but was chosen for its favourable viticultural location 90km from the coast. 'The Stirlings', a blend of 46% Merlot, 45% Cabernet Sauvignon and 9% Malbec in 2001, is this winery's flagship red. A magnificent wine and a must for lovers of the Bordeaux style; well-balanced, elegant, restrained and fine-grained. A wine of great structure, length and finesse – one for the classicists.

"Stylish mix of red and black fruits, dark chocolate and fine, ripe tannins. High quality oak in the background. Very impressive Bordeaux style."  James Halliday

"The very best parcels of grapes are blended to create a wine of immense concentration that will only develop with bottle age. Dense red with crimson hints; spice, mulberry and plum flavours on the nose; these characters follow through to the palate and are complemented by cedar French oak hints and a lingering, flavoursome finish. A full flavoured wine with elegance. This wine will develop and mature for 5-8 years."  Ferngrove

Expert reviews

"Stylish mix of red and black fruits, dark chocolate and fine, ripe tannins. High quality oak in the background. Very impressive Bordeaux style. Drink Now-2016."  James Halliday, Halliday Wine Companion - 95 points

"A very intense and somewhat closed red that is not short of fruit, oak or tannin. It has attractive hints of cedar, tobacco and mint, but really needs a couple of years in bottle to soften and knit the various components together. This is definitely one to keep for a while but it will produce results."  Winewise - Highly Recommended

Awards

Gold Medal 2004 Rutherglen Wine Show
Gold Medal 2004 Royal Perth Wine Show
Gold Medal 2003 Rutherglen Wine Show
Gold Medal 2003 Murrumbateman Wine Show
Gold Medal 2003 Royal Adelaide Wine Show

Frankland River

The Great Southern wine region of Western Australia is the most ancient, most isolated and largest wine region in the world. The region is up to 2.8 billion years old and covers over 1.7 million hectares, a whopping 200 kilometres from east to west and 100km from north to south. Since the Nyittiny – creation times – our First Nations people of the Wagyl Kaip region have shared and cared for this Great Southern country.

Great Southern time is a place of dramatic contrasts - striking tall timber forests, swathes of rich agricultural land, imposing mountain ranges, dramatic peaks and ancient rivers. Due to its vast size and spread, it features not only different terroirs but climates that vary from the Mediterranean through to the maritime, resulting in unique wines that reflect their natural surroundings. From this diversity a wine region of international significance and reputation has emerged – the pristine Great Southern wine region.

The region is divided into five distinct sub-regions, each producing wine styles that reflect their unique terroir. The sub-regions are Porongurup, Frankland River, Mount Barker, Denmark and Albany - refer to the map below.

Frankland River sub-region

Frankland River wine, one of Western Australia’s best-kept secrets, is located approximately 360 kilometers south of Perth and lies 80 kilometers inland from the coast. Home to rolling hills, rich farming land and natural forest abounding with native wildflowers, it is named after the river which bisects it and the town at its center. Frankland River is the highest of the Great Southern sub-regions, with most vineyards sitting between 150 to 300 meters above sea level. With 1,600 hectares of vines planted, it is also the most prolific of the five sub-regions.

Frankland River is home to some of the oldest vines in Western Australia, with the first modern-day vineyards planted in 1967 on a property owned by the Roche family of Perth. This vineyard is now owned by Houghton and supplies them with some ultra-premium grapes. Three years later, in 1971, Merv and Judy Lange began planting vines on their Alkoomi property.

Today, there are six wineries located in the sub-region – Frankland Estate, Alkoomi, Swinney, Ferngrove, Lange Estate and Three Elms. In addition, many of Western Australia's iconic wineries source fruit from the area for their wines. Frankland River is home to plantings of all the traditional Australian grape varieties, however, it is internationally best recognised for producing premium cool climate Shiraz and Riesling. Is one of the State’s most successful wine producing regions and its impressive wine show success is testament to the quality of its vineyards and wines.

Frankland River has a true Mediterranean climate, with cool nights and warm days with long sunlight hours. Despite being 80 km inland, a moderating sea breeze from the Southern Ocean finds its way into the region and is a significant boon to local vineyards. In Albany, the equivalent wind is known as the 'Albany Doctor', after the more famous 'Fremantle Doctor' which cools the baked vineyards of the Swan District near Perth. The sea breeze, together with the elevation of the vineyards, create a long, slow ripening season that give the wines intensity of fruit, finesse, freshness and longevity. 

Frankland River's soils and topography consist of significant alluvial features. Ironstone-based gravel soils derived from granitic outcrops line the river valleys and rolling hills. These rich, red ironstone gravels often impart a unique flavour to the wines.

Frankland River is one of the five sub-regions of Great Southern

About the winery