Established in 1963 and with an annual production of less than 1000 cases in total, Wantirna Estate ranks among the elite of the Yarra Valley icons. Hand crafted terror-driven wines are a reflection of meticulous attention to detail in all aspects of viticulture and winemaking, and a vineyard site that is naturally low-yielding. "You don't need too many fingers to count the number of 'cult' wineries of the 1970s and early 1980s that are still in the hands of their original owners. Fewer still are actually performing better today than ever before. Wantirna Estate is one such winery and its modern success is a culmination of experience, the introduction of fresh ideas and a proven ability to learn. Jeremy Oliver

A large proportion of the grapes for this wine come from the original 1963 plantings of cabernet sauvignon, merlot and cabernet franc vines. The remainder is from the more recently planted – 1989 – petit verdot. Whilst the proportions are different every year, depending on fruit set and cropping levels, roughly speaking the break down is about as follows: 65% cabernet sauvignon, 30% cabernet franc and merlot, and 5% petit verdot. The addition of the petit verdot grapes in the 1990s gave the wine an added backbone of tannin and natural acidity. With its long growing season, the petit verdot grapes are the last to be harvested, usually in mid April.

The 2022 Amelia cabernet sauvignon merlot is showing trademark Amelia elegance and finesse with a little bit extra in ripeness. The 2022 Amelia is a typical Wantirna cabernet blend. The fruit is ripe, the tannins long and the palate reflects the high quality of Cabernets from this area of Australia. The blend this year is 24% merlot/cabernet franc, 66% cabernet sauvignon and 10% petit verdot. Certainly the 2022 it is a wine with tremendous immediate appeal and will definitely age very well.