Posted: November 7, 2018
Enjoyable young, this is a medium to full-bodied red, with bright, fullish colour. It offers good depth of fresh, plummy, spicy flavours, with savoury notes adding a touch of complexity and a smooth finish. $16
Comments Off on Villa Maria Private Bin Hawke’s Bay Merlot 2017 / 0 View / November 7, 2018
Posted: November 7, 2018
A good value, drink-young red. Fullish in colour, with fresh, plummy, slightly spicy aromas, it is medium-bodied, with very satisfying depth of dark berry and plum flavours, offering smooth, easy drinking. (From Villa Maria). $14
Comments Off on Thornbury Hawke’s Bay Merlot 2017 / 0 View / November 7, 2018
Posted: November 7, 2018
Priced right, this medium-bodied, easy-drinking red was grown at Crownthorpe. Fullish in colour, it has fresh, berryish, plummy aromas and flavours, in a ‘fruit-driven’ style with a hint of herbs, good depth and a smooth finish. $18
Comments Off on Monowai Hawke’s Bay Merlot 2016 / 0 View / November 7, 2018
Posted: November 7, 2018
Certified organic, this is a generous red with full, purple-flushed colour. It offers fresh, strong, plummy, slightly spicy flavours, in a ‘fruit-driven’ style with gentle tannins and some cellaring potential. Best drinking mid-2019+. $16
Comments Off on Villa Maria Private Bin Organic Hawke’s Bay Merlot 2016 / 0 View / November 7, 2018
Posted: November 7, 2018
This slightly gutsy red was matured for 10 months in French oak casks. Full-coloured, it is mouthfilling and fruity, with some earthy notes, very good depth and a fairly firm finish. Best drinking mid-2019+. $19
Comments Off on Lake Chalice The Falcon Gimblett Gravels Hawke’s Bay Merlot 2017 / 0 View / November 7, 2018
Posted: November 7, 2018
This powerful young red was grown in the Gimblett Gravels. Deeply coloured, it has good concentration of plummy, spicy flavours, good tannin backbone, and a hint of dark chocolate. Best 2020+. $25
Comments Off on Saint Clair Origin Hawke’s Bay Merlot 2017 / 0 View / November 7, 2018
Posted: November 7, 2018
Still youthful, this single-vineyard red is deeply coloured, fragrant and full-bodied, with greater intensity that you’d expect in its price range. Packed with plummy, spicy fruit, it is moderately firm, with a long life ahead. $20
Comments Off on Delta Hawke’s Bay Merlot 2017 / 0 View / November 7, 2018
Posted: November 7, 2018
Well worth cellaring, this blend of merlot (54%) and malbec (46%) was matured in French oak barrels. Full-coloured, it is fresh and vibrant, with strong, ripe plum and spice flavours, finely balanced tannins and savoury notes adding complexity. Best drinking…
Comments Off on Coopers Creek Select Vineyards Gimblett Gravels /Malbec Hawke’s Bay Merlot 2016 / 0 View / November 7, 2018
Posted: November 7, 2018
This ageworthy, medium-bodied red was hand-picked in the Mere Road Vineyard and matured for 17 months in French oak casks (34% new). Deep ruby, it is fragrant and vibrant, with strong, youthful blackcurrant, plum and spice flavours, seasoned with quality…
Comments Off on Mills Reef Elspeth Gimblett Gravels Hawke’s Bay Merlot 2016 / 0 View / November 7, 2018
Posted: November 7, 2018
Still unfolding, this refined, concentrated red was grown in the Omahu Gravels Vineyard and matured for 18 months in French oak casks (28% new). Dense and youthful in colour, it is fragrant and supple, with rich, well-ripened plum and spice…
Comments Off on Villa Maria Reserve Gimblett Gravels Hawke’s Bay Merlot 2015 / 0 View / November 7, 2018
Posted: November 7, 2018
Likely to be long-lived, this full-coloured, Gimblett Gravels red was estate-grown in the Irongate Vineyard. Fragrant, with a warm, ripe, savoury bouquet, it is mouthfilling, with deep, plummy, spicy, nutty flavours, showing excellent structure and complexity, and good tannin backbone….
Comments Off on Babich Winemakers’ Reserve Hawke’s Bay Merlot 2015 / 0 View / November 7, 2018
Posted: November 7, 2018
Here’s proof that you can make excellent merlot in the South Island. Hand-picked from 20 year-old vines and barrel-aged for over a year, it has deep, moderately youthful colour. Sturdy, it’s a powerful wine with well-ripened plum, red berry and…
Comments Off on Ataahua Waipara Merlot 2015 / 0 View / November 7, 2018
Posted: October 4, 2018
A dark red, almost purple, wine with a nose of green fruit and olives and a fleshy red fruit palate offering good easy drinking.
Comments Off on Leconfield Coonawarra Merlot 2017 / 0 View / October 4, 2018
Posted: October 4, 2018
Lifted dark berry fruit aromas with a menthol/eucalypt edge and a “chiselled” palate with excellent balance of savoury, briary and earthy characters, good tannins and vibrant acidity.
Comments Off on Majella Coonawarra Merlot 2016 / 0 View / October 4, 2018
Posted: October 4, 2018
A nose of berries and spices with a soft varietal fruit palate, slight green edge and approachable tannins.
Comments Off on Michelini Alpine Valley Merlot 2016 / 0 View / October 4, 2018
Posted: October 4, 2018
A very lean cool climate style – very Bordeaux like. Showing plenty of potential.
Comments Off on Dudley Wines Macdonnell Kangaroo Island Merlot 2017 / 0 View / October 4, 2018
Posted: July 4, 2018
An appealing sweetly fruited red with lots of red cherry and plum fruit. Lighter bodied and crisp, with a savoury background of tannin. $18.00
Comments Off on Haha Hawkes Bay Merlot 2017 / 0 View / July 4, 2018
Posted: July 4, 2018
A very glossy bold take on merlot; lots of black liquorice, star anise and red plum with hints of Christmas fruitcake too. Exotically fruited with a generous rich savoury flavour though there is still quite a grip of tannin on…
Comments Off on Pask Declaration Merlot 2013 / 0 View / July 4, 2018
Posted: July 4, 2018
Fragrant, slightly stalky, plum aromas and generous up-front flavours on the simple palate.
Comments Off on The Collective Wine Company The Impressionist Eden Valley Merlot 2017 / 0 View / July 4, 2018
Posted: July 4, 2018
Subtle fruity notes to the nose with nicely structured palate and lovely silky tannins.
Comments Off on Taylors Clare Valley Merlot 2017 / 0 View / July 4, 2018
Posted: July 4, 2018
Vibrant spiced dark fruit aromas and a firm black fruit palate with grippy tannins.
Comments Off on Leconfield Coonawarra Merlot 2017 / 0 View / July 4, 2018
Posted: July 4, 2018
Subtle strawberry compote-like bouquet and firm palate with nice fruit weight and soft tannins.
Comments Off on Lindeman’s Bin 40 Merlot 2017 / 0 View / July 4, 2018
Posted: July 4, 2018
Very flavoursome merlot with attractive red/black fruit, subtle use of oak and fine tannins.
Comments Off on Zilzie Wines Estate Murray Darling Merlot 2017 / 0 View / July 4, 2018
Posted: July 4, 2018
Subdued nose with nicely weighted, medium bodied, rich berry palate and soft line of tannins.
Comments Off on Zilzie Estate Victoria Merlot 2016 / 0 View / July 4, 2018
Posted: July 4, 2018
Lifted berry/rhubarb nose and tasting of strawberries with restrained tannins. Very drinkable.
Comments Off on Chateau Yaldara Retro Collection Barossa Valley Merlot 2017 / 0 View / July 4, 2018
Posted: July 4, 2018
Reserved bouquet and a sweet edge to the soft red fruit palate with ‘sensible’ use of oak.
Comments Off on Bird in Hand Adelaide Hills Merlot 2016 / 0 View / July 4, 2018
Posted: July 4, 2018
Concentrated dark fruit aromas and a supple palate with intense mulberry flavours, a sweet lift and good acid balance.
Comments Off on Majella Coonawarra Merlot 2016 / 0 View / July 4, 2018
Posted: July 4, 2018
An oak driven style but has plenty of attractive dark berry fruit sitting underneath.
Comments Off on Mollydooker The Scooter McLaren Vale Merlot 2016 / 0 View / July 4, 2018
Posted: July 4, 2018
Leafy violet nuances on the nose and appealing flavours of plums and chocolate on the soft juicy palate.
Comments Off on Artwine The Dog House Single Vineyard Adelaide Hills Merlot 2017 / 0 View / July 4, 2018
Posted: July 4, 2018
Bright boysenberry bouquet with soft entry to the slightly herbal palate. Good line of acid. 3-5
Comments Off on Villa Maria Private Bin Organic Hawkes Bay Merlot 2015 / 0 View / July 4, 2018
Posted: July 4, 2018
Another wine that is such a deep purple it is almost black. Minty red fruit aromas and a soft plump fruit driven palate. A very inviting, very drinkable style of merlot. 5+
Comments Off on Villa Maria Single Vineyard Braided Gravels Organic Hawkes Bay Merlot 2013 / 0 View / July 4, 2018
Posted: July 4, 2018
A great nose with warm inviting floral perfumed red fruit aromas and bright and lengthy cherry flavours layered with some well handled oak and good level of acidity. 3-5
Comments Off on Villa Maria Cellar Selection Organic Hawkes Bay Merlot 2016 / 0 View / July 4, 2018
Posted: May 2, 2018
Berry and peach fruit aromas with pleasant oak. Very oaky palate – hot and sweet and underscored with vibrant fruit flavours. 3-5
Comments Off on Mollydooker The Scooter McLaren Vale Merlot 2016 / 0 View / May 2, 2018
Posted: May 2, 2018
Minty leafy fragrances and a very spicy palate with warming alcohol and a tannic finish. 3-5
Comments Off on Richard Hamilton Lot 148 McLaren Vale Merlot 2016 / 0 View / May 2, 2018
Posted: May 2, 2018
“A punter friendly wine” with sweet and earthy red and black berry fruit on the nose and palate. 5+
Comments Off on Walter Wines Federation Hill Single Vineyard Mudgee Merlot 2016 / 0 View / May 2, 2018
Posted: May 2, 2018
Very pleasant toasty plum aromas with a soft and gentle palate that is full of vibrant plum fruit flavours. 3-5
Comments Off on Tamburlaine On The Grapevine Organic Orange Merlot 2017 / 0 View / May 2, 2018
Posted: May 2, 2018
Very merlot nose – all plums and blackberries with a light tannic palate and evolving fruit flavours.
Comments Off on Drayton’s Family Wines Hunter Valley Merlot 2017 / 0 View / May 2, 2018
Posted: May 2, 2018
Ageing beautifully and smelling of raspberries, blackberries and tobacco-like oak. A well structured, dry, savoury palate with powerful plum/oak flavours.
Comments Off on Below & Above Single Vineyard Pemberton Merlot 2013 / 0 View / May 2, 2018
Posted: May 2, 2018
Peppery/mulberry aromas and a simple palate with good varietal fruit characters, soft tannins and greenish acid.
Comments Off on Lake Chalice The Nest Marlborough Merlot 2017 / 0 View / May 2, 2018
Posted: May 2, 2018
Candied fruit nose with aged notes developing and pleasantly soft aged flavours with a gentle tannin structure.
Comments Off on Nillahcootie Estate Upper Goulburn Region Merlot 2012 / 0 View / May 2, 2018
Posted: May 2, 2018
Sweet aromas; a fragrant combination of plums and oak. More of the sweet plum characters follow through to the nicely rounded palate with good balance between tannins, oak and acid.
Comments Off on Chateau Yaldara Retro Barossa Valley Merlot 2017 / 0 View / May 2, 2018
Posted: March 2, 2018
Lovely nose; very fresh, very varietal. Bright plum fruit characters on the palate integrated with well handled oak and chalky tannins. 3-5
Comments Off on Four Sisters Central Victoria Merlot 2015 / 0 View / March 2, 2018
Posted: March 2, 2018
Stewed fruit nose and a rich ripe fruit palate with loads of chewy tannins.
Comments Off on Dalberti Great Western Merlot 2014 / 0 View / March 2, 2018
Posted: March 2, 2018
Tight greenish red currant aromas with an elegant, medium bodied, palate. Nice commercial style.
Comments Off on Harvey River Estate Geographe WA Merlot 2017 / 0 View / March 2, 2018
Posted: March 2, 2018
Very rich ripe merlot with dark plum like fragrances and some savoury nuances with interesting, well balanced, fleshy fruit palate.
Comments Off on Mollydooker The Scooter McLaren Vale Merlot 2016 / 0 View / March 2, 2018
Posted: March 2, 2018
Spicy nose with menthol notes. Lovely flavour intensity with more of the menthol characters.
Comments Off on Majella Coonawarra Merlot 2016 / 0 View / March 2, 2018
Posted: March 2, 2018
Spicy fresh aromas with some hint soft tomato-like characters. Smooth and fleshy in the mouth with solid weight and length of minty fruit.
Comments Off on Pertaringa Stage Left Merlot 2016 / 0 View / March 2, 2018
Posted: January 12, 2018
Somewhat green herbaceous aromas and a simple, dry, plumy palate. A rustic style!
Comments Off on Michelini Wines Alpine Valleys Merlot 2016 / 0 View / January 12, 2018
Posted: November 9, 2017
Bright and juicy with lots of redcurrant and raspberry fruit. There is a just a touch of tannin and spicy oak but very subtle; this is as an appealing early drinking wine. $18.00
Comments Off on Left Field Merlot 2015 / 0 View / November 9, 2017