Temple Bruer Preservative Free Cabernet Merlot 2024: Tasting Notes

WINE STYLE → Savoury, Herbal & Food-Friendly

Temple Bruer Preservative Free Cabernet Merlot 2024 is a dry, medium-to-full bodied South Australian red with classic Cabernet shape and a softer Merlot middle. Expect blackcurrant, crimson cherry, plum and gentle coconut oak, with spice and fine tannins giving it a savoury dinner-table finish. Certified organic, vegan and made with no added preservatives, it is a smart choice for anyone who wants a cleaner red without losing structure.

Highlights

• Certified organic, vegan suitable and carbon neutral
• Preservative-free with no added sulphur dioxide
• Crafted by Temple Bruer — a South Australian pioneer of organic and preservative-free wine
• Blackcurrant, crimson cherry, plum, coconut oak and warm spice
• Riverland Cabernet Merlot with dry structure and firm fine tannins
• 13.0% ABV

Tasting Notes

Deep red with a purple edge. The nose leads with blackcurrant, crimson cherry and plum, then opens into coconut, gentle oak, dried herbs and warm spice. The palate is dry and medium-to-full bodied, with Cabernet’s cassis line and Merlot’s rounder fruit sitting over firm, fine tannins. It finishes savoury and steady, with enough structure for richer food but no heavy, overworked oak.

Winemaking

Made with minimal handling to protect fruit clarity and keep the wine clean, dry and varietal. Gentle maturation builds texture and depth, while the oak influence stays neatly in the background, adding coconut and spice rather than sweetness or weight. No sulphur dioxide is added, so careful handling and bottling are key to preserving freshness.

Vineyard & Vintage

The fruit comes from South Australia’s Riverland, where the warm climate helps Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot ripen fully under organic farming. Cabernet brings blackcurrant, structure and savoury line; Merlot adds plum, crimson cherry and a softer middle. The 2024 release sits in a generous, classic Cabernet Merlot shape, with 13.0% alcohol and a dry finish.

Why We Love It

This is a rare thing: a preservative-free red that still tastes like a proper classic Cabernet blend. It has dark fruit, structure, gentle oak and enough savoury detail to sit beautifully with dinner. For customers who want organic, vegan and no added preservative credentials without moving into a lighter natural red style, this is an easy bottle to trust.

Food Pairing

This wine suits savoury, roasted and tomato-rich dishes where the tannins have something to hold onto. It is especially good with mushrooms, eggplant, lamb, beef, lentils and aged cheese.

Try matching this wine with →

• Mushroom bourguignon — Find a Recipe
• Lamb kofta with yoghurt and herbs — Find a Recipe
• Eggplant parmigiana — Find a Recipe

Mood or occasion to match this wine…

Open this when dinner is doing the heavy lifting: a slow Sunday cook, a wintery pasta, a tray of roast vegetables or something smoky from the grill. It is relaxed enough for a weeknight, but structured enough to pour when friends stay for a second glass.

Cellaring

Drink now for its bright blackcurrant, cherry and plum fruit, or cellar for up to 5 years under good storage conditions. With time, the fruit will soften and the savoury spice and cedar-like notes should become more prominent. Once opened, preservative-free reds are best enjoyed within 1–2 days, sealed and stored in the fridge.

Producer

Temple Bruer is a South Australian organic wine pioneer with a strong focus on certified organic farming, vegan-friendly wines and preservative-free winemaking. Their fruit is grown across South Australian vineyard sites, including Riverland areas such as Loxton, Moorook and Paringa, where Cabernet and Merlot can ripen well in a warm climate. The preservative-free program began in 2006 after Barbara Bruer questioned whether sulphur dioxide was needed at all. Today the winery uses careful hygiene, oxygen management and bottling practices to make no added preservative wines with classic varietal character.

Related Wines To Try →

If you enjoy this style, try these next:

• Darker spice and fuller South Australian richness — Temple Bruer Preservative Free Shiraz
• Certified biodynamic, preservative-free Shiraz with juicy McLaren Vale fruit — Paxton NOW Preservative Free Shiraz
• Certified organic Bordeaux Merlot with black fruit and silky tannins — Chateau Puynard Preservative Free Merlot

FAQ

What does Temple Bruer Preservative Free Cabernet Merlot 2024 taste like?

It tastes like a classic Cabernet Merlot: blackcurrant, crimson cherry, plum and gentle spice, with a touch of coconut from the oak. The palate is dry, medium-to-full bodied and structured, with firm fine tannins that linger. It is best for drinkers who enjoy dark-fruited reds with savoury shape rather than sweet jamminess.

Is this wine sweet or dry?

This is a dry red wine. The fruit is ripe and generous, but the finish stays savoury and structured. Cabernet Sauvignon gives cassis and tannin, while Merlot rounds the middle with softer plum and cherry notes.

How full-bodied is it, and what are the tannins like?

It sits around medium-to-full bodied, with more structure than a soft Merlot but less weight than a big Barossa Shiraz. The tannins are firm and fine, giving a tidy frame to the fruit. Acidity is moderate, keeping the wine balanced with food.

Is Temple Bruer Preservative Free Cabernet Merlot organic and vegan?

Yes. This wine is certified organic and vegan suitable. It is also carbon neutral, making it a strong choice for customers seeking a cleaner South Australian red with genuine environmental credentials.

Does this wine contain preservatives or sulphites?

This wine is No Added Preservative, meaning no sulphur dioxide is added during winemaking. Like all wine, it may contain tiny naturally occurring sulphites from fermentation, but the style is made without added SO2. It is a good option for customers actively choosing preservative-free reds.

What temperature should I serve it at, and what glass should I use?

Serve at 16–18°C, slightly cooler than a warm Australian room. A medium-to-large red wine glass is ideal because it gives the blackcurrant, cherry, spice and oak detail room to open. If the bottle has been sitting somewhere warm, pop it in the fridge for 10–15 minutes before serving.

Should I decant it?

A decant is not essential, but 20–30 minutes of air will help soften the tannins and bring out more fruit and spice. A splashy pour into a jug or decanter is enough. This is especially useful if you are serving it with richer dishes such as lamb, mushroom ragu or roast vegetables.

What food pairs best with this Cabernet Merlot?

It works beautifully with grilled lamb, beef ragu, lentil shepherd’s pie, mushroom bourguignon, eggplant parmigiana and aged cheddar. The dark fruit likes char, tomato and savoury herbs, while the tannins balance richer textures. For a vegetarian match, mushrooms and eggplant are the standouts.

Who will love this wine?

This is for drinkers who like classic Cabernet blends but want organic, vegan and preservative-free credentials. If you enjoy Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Merlot or Bordeaux-inspired reds with cassis, plum, spice and structure, this will make sense straight away. It is also a good step for Shiraz drinkers who want something more herbal and savoury.

Can this wine be cellared?

Yes, it can be enjoyed now or cellared for up to 5 years under cool, stable conditions. Drink it young for blackcurrant, cherry and plum brightness. With age, expect softer fruit, more savoury spice and subtle cedar-like development.

Is this wine keto friendly?

Yes. It is a dry red wine, which makes it a suitable choice for many keto-style eating plans when enjoyed in moderation. As always, suitability depends on individual goals, serving size and total carbohydrate intake across the day.

(SKU: TB_PCS_CV)