• French oak
• Blackcurrants
• Cedar wood
• Fine tannins

"Made only in the best vintages, hand-picked fruit from old vines, destemmed. Fermented on skins for 20 days in 5t vats then gently pressed to a new and used French oak hogshead for 18 months with regular racking. The end result is a beautifully crafted and composed wine. All the beauty of cabernet within, alongside superfine tannins. Elegance with latent power" Halliday Wine Companion 2022

"Melba Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon 2018. The 2018 Melba Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon is spicy and structured. The oak imprint on the fruit is evident at this stage, but perhaps there is a shadowing effect from the Amphora Cabernet tasted next to it. The red fruit is supple and so spicy, with an admirable flow of flavor across the tongue. There are notes of rose petals, pomegranate, raspberry compote and star anise. It's a lovely, lovely wine, and it will age stupendously" The Wine Advocate, Nov 2022

"It's a classically structured Cabernet: black fruit - think plum, damson, hints of blackcurrant - with savoury edges. Really it's the grippy tannins that win here, coating the palate and giving both length, breadth and depth. As much as you might want to get your hands on Nellie now, patience is a virtue. One for the long haul!" The Vinsomniac, Jul 2022

"Sourced from the oldest vines on the Dixons Creek property and spends 14 months in oak. A lovely regal Yarra Cab it is too. The oak is a bit forward for now, but structurally it’s excellent. Just a little dried fruit whispers on the nose, but the palate feels well contained, driven by tannins and unquestioned quality" Australian Wine Review, Jun 2022

Bright, deep red with purple edges. Dense, mineral scented, blackcurrants, cedar wood, tobacco. Good intensity and persistence, silky with beautifully balanced tannins.

The De Bortoli ‘Melba Vineyard’ at Dixons Creek has a rich history of exceptional Cabernet Sauvignon dating back to the 1970’s. The 'Melba' brand pays tribute to renowned operatic soprano diva, Dame Nellie Melba with three premium Cabernet Sauvignons; Melba Vineyard, Melba Amphora and Melba Reserve.

First planted in 1971 with additional plantings in 1987, 1988 and 1990. For over 30 years the best parcels of Cabernet have been carefully managed to produce grapes with full concentrated flavour and firm fine tannins.

2018 is one of the finest vintages of Cabernet we have seen in recent years. Warm growing season, even ripening, mild and dry autumn, lots of tannin development.

Fruit is destemmed followed by light crushing. Individual vineyard batches were fermented on skins for up to 30 days. At the desired balance of fruit and tannin extraction, each batch was gently pressed. The individual parcels were racked to oak after pressing. Regular rackings over an 18-month period ensure the individual wines are at their best prior to blending.