Pierro Fire Gully Cabernet Merlot 2021

Fire Gully wines are produced by the team at Pierro. Pierro was the original high-density vineyard planting in Margaret River and also one of the first in Australia. Vine density ranges from 4,000 to 5,500 vines per hectare, compared to a conventional Australian vineyard of 1,900 per hectare. This was to make the vines more competitive, balance their fruit yield and promote flavour intensity. The soils are moderately deep laterite gravel with interspersed granite, over ancient base rock with friable pink clay merging into a shattered rock layer. These granite soils are some of the most open, warm and well drained of our viticultural soils, allowing great root penetration and exploration. Pierro wine is a wonderfully complex balance of sensual and fascinating elements. In a world where mediocrity can become a pervasive norm, the wines of Pierro are a shining exception. 

The Fire Gully Farm & Vineyard is located in the heart of Willyabrup, Margaret River. Thanks to old vines, ancient gravelly loam soils, vine age, regenerative farming practices and coastal influence, the site is truly unique and creates wines that are a reflection of site and place,. Owned, produced and tended to by the team at Pierro Margaret River Vineyards. The property was named Fire Gully after two large bush fires, in 1952 and 1970, ravaged the gully in the centre of the block. The Fire Gully vineyard is well-hidden from the road with a long, narrow strip flowing back to the main paddocks: so it's pretty much unknown. It is one of the Willyabrup region's most attractive and spectacular vineyards with views from the higher blocks looking over the dam, vineyards and natural bushland. Fire Gully is adjacent to Moss Wood and a kilometre from Pierro Vineyards. It is influenced by the brook system that runs through the property and out to the coast four kilometres away. The sea breeze drifts up the brook to the vineyard moderating the summer temperatures.

All of the grapes are hand picked at sunrise and taken in small buckets to the Pierro winery. From here, the team at Pierro craft the wines under the guidance of Dr. Peterkin, The wines are hand made and blended in small batches .The Fire Gully wines express the very essence of Margaret River regionality and quality and are recognised for consistent excellence with each passing vintage.

The fruit for the Fire Gully Cabernet Merlot 2021 vintage was sorted by a hard working team of 12, from several countries across the globe, over an 8 hour period. No driving a machine harvester or bunch sorting, but berry sorting - by hand! They say that magic is just someone spending more time on a craft than any normal person would think was reasonable. 

Blending Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc and Merlot gives the wine backbone and tightness of structure while emphasizing its smooth, soft texture and fragrance. Aromas and flavours of black currant, dark chocolate, and mint dominate.

The 2021 Fire Gully Cab Merlot is showing some restraint on the nose, gently perfumed red berry aromatics, opening onto a palate that has ripe plum and blackcurrant flavours. It is medium to full-bodied and a touch denser than the previous vintages, and so showing more weight, good structure and gentle grip on the finish.

The Finer Details
Style - Red Wine
Varietal - Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot
Country - Australia
Region - Margaret River, Western Australia
Vintage - 2021
Bottle Size - 750ml
ABV - 13.5%