Oak Lane Cabernet/Merlot 2022

This 2022 blend opens with bold aromas of dark currant, blackberry and cassis, layered with subtle mocha and cigar-box spice—hallmarks of Stellenbosch’s mature vine fruit. On the palate it shows firm, ripe tannins and integrated acidity, giving the wine structure and length without heaviness. Notes of black cherry, plum and chocolate weave through toasted oak and dusty gravel minerality. The finish is smooth, refined and persistent, with a hint of tobacco leaf and dark spice lingering. This wine delivers both immediate satisfaction and enough backbone to hold up for several years of cellaring.

Pair this Cabernet/Merlot with grilled rib-eye steak, slow-braised short ribs with red wine reduction, herb-crusted lamb chops, mushroom and bacon risotto, pepper-crusted venison medallions, aged English cheddar and smoked gouda, classic beef bourguignon, barbecued lamb sliders, robust chili con carne, or rich dark-chocolate dessert with espresso nibs.

Oak Lane Cabernet/Merlot 2022 is rooted in the sun-drenched winegrowing heart of South Eastern Australia, a vast and diverse viticultural area encompassing regions such as Barossa Valley, Coonawarra, and the Riverina. This landscape combines Mediterranean warmth with cool evening breezes drawn from the Southern Ocean, providing the diurnal temperature shifts that allow Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot grapes to ripen slowly and evenly. The soils—ranging from red terra rossa clays over limestone in Coonawarra to loamy river flats along the Murray—produce fruit of excellent color, structure, and aromatic lift. These natural contrasts lend Australian blends a balance of power and freshness rarely matched elsewhere.

The “Oak Lane” label celebrates the heritage of Australian winemaking that began in the mid-19th century, when European settlers, primarily from Britain, Germany, and France, planted the first vineyards across New South Wales, Victoria, and South Australia. Drawing inspiration from Old World traditions, Australian vintners developed their own bold and fruit-forward style that would soon define the nation’s wines on the global stage. By the 1970s, Australia had gained renown for its modern approach to blending—particularly for Bordeaux-style marriages of Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot—crafted not to mimic Bordeaux but to express the ripeness and generosity of Australia’s climate.

Oak Lane embodies this philosophy of approachability with depth. The name itself evokes the oak-lined country roads that wind through Australian vineyards and the careful oak maturation that defines the blend’s final character. Cabernet Sauvignon provides the firm backbone of cassis, blackcurrant, and cedar, while Merlot contributes plush plum and velvety tannins. Together they create a wine that is both structured and inviting—a tribute to the blending mastery that remains a hallmark of the Australian tradition. The 2022 vintage reflects a mild growing season, yielding fruit of purity and balance, and stands as a modern expression of the craftsmanship that has guided Australia’s winemakers for more than a century.