Good Intentions Merlin 2022
Type: Red
Country: Australia
Region: Mount Gambier
Grape Variety: (2020) Petit Verdot, Merlot / (2022) Cabernet Sauv, Petit Verdot
Alcohol Percentage: 12.9%
Viticulture: Natural Wine | Biodynamic | Certified Organic
Climate: Temperate maritime climate, one of the coolest regions in South Australia
Terroir: Certified biodynamic fruit grown on sand soils over limestone only kilometres from the ocean from the seaside region of Mount Benson in South Australia’s Limestone Coast. Pumped over twice daily for 6 days
Winemaking: The grapes are pressed while sweetness still remains in the ferment. All grapes are biodynamically grown. Whole bunch maceration and some time on skins
Color: Beautiful red
Nose: Aromas of fresh plums and mulberries
Palate: Crunchy and herbaceous wine with a little grip over notes of rich berry characters
About the Winery:
Andrew (farmer) and Louise (Musician) Burchell are a husband and wife team who moved back to Mount Gambier (Andrew’s childhood town) to start a family and a wine label. They wanted to grip the earth with their toes and use their knowledge of organic farming and permaculture to create their very own wine label. Creating a sense of community was a deep part of this plan, a place to call home and where they could raise their daughter Frankie around homegrown food, great music and a love and appreciation for the land.
They lease three vineyards and are planning the planting of two more on their farm, which is located on the outskirts of Mt Gambier, SA. The property and all of the leased vineyards are located on the south side of one of Australia’s youngest volcanoes. Erupting less than 6000 years ago it is filled with water that changes colour with the seasons. Arising from an ancient inland sea made into limestone and now receiving water from underground caves added with our generous rainfall all contribute to the abundance of water stored in underground limestone caves with pockets of flint rock spread below the nearby soils. The limestone filters the water naturally and the result is pure water thriving with minerality. All this helps make for incredible soil complexity and their cool climate makes for perfect growing conditions and in turn beautiful, elegant and totally unique wines like no other.
They make wines that reflect the eccentricities of their own personalities as well as deeply reflecting place and terroir with a minimalistic approach. They use old-world wine methods; preferring the challenges of hand-picking fruit, open fermenting with indigenous yeast and only adding sulphur when required by the wine. They do not filter or fine wines and they are all bottled on-site in their small winery.
Mount Gambier is a truly unique wine-growing region and one that over the next few years is likely to grow in understanding and popularity. Over the last few years, these wines have gone from strength to strength as cuvees have tightened and become more precise. We are very excited to share these wines with you as we welcome Andrew, Louise & Frankie to our Lo-fi family.
