Purple Palate

In this Cabernet Merlot, Stella Bella make the classic Margaret River partner for its lauded Chardonnay. Built on a core of cassis, currents and aniseed, it has unmistakable regional aromas of tobacco, spiced herbs and dried chocolate. The 2008, like the lauded '07, has tight structure, elegant tannins and a rich, silky presence. The underlying oak is fresh and cigar-boxesque, shaping the aromas into a masculine cologne, delicately themed with vanilla bean, Arabic coffee and fresh leather. It will cellar for the medium to long term. -NT