Home / Merlot

May
21

By

Climbing 2011 Merlot

Category: bold reds, Orange, Red Wine Tags: Leave a Comment


Cumulus is fast becoming one of the icons of the Orange region and deservedly so. This is a sibling brand to the Central Ranges tier ‘Rolling’. Climbing wines are sourced from Cumulus’ vineyards and refers to the lofty rolling slopes of the region which starts at 600 m above sea level. The labels are quirky, the wines are fun, good quality and enjoyable.

There is a reason why merlot is often depicted as the wind down drink after a busy busy day, it is soft and comforting.  A wine rich with peppery plums sprinkled with a handful of green garden herbs, which particularly freshen up the finish in the mouth.  Well structured with medium body and lip licking tannins – a good foil for the generous merlot fruit.

You will often find it below $20, so pour a glass with dinner and then take it with you to the couch to enjoy with your favourite show with your feet up.

Date: March 2013   Price:  $22   Value: $$   Drink:  Now  – 3 years

1 person likes this post.
Unlike

Apr
30

By

Tandem Ars Nova Tempranillo Cabernet Merlot 2005

Category: bold reds, Musings, Red Wine Tags: , , , Leave a Comment

One of the brands in Spain making modern reds that still have some traditional aged roots such as this blend of the Spanish superstar Tempranillo blended with the Bordeaux greats Cabernet and Merlot.

A rich wine that offers plenty by way of interest in its middle age with dominant tannins, a fuller body and medium length. There are attractive dried rose and tobacco notes to the red plum and fresh red currant fruit. You do get the feeling that you have taken it out of the cellar a tad too early. Drink it with a smoky Paella and enjoy it now it is open.

Date: February 2013   Price:  $23  Value: $$  Drink:  Now  – 4 years

1 person likes this post.
Unlike

Apr
30

By

Tandem Ars Macula Cabernet Sauvignon Merlot 2004

Category: bold reds, Red Wine Tags: , , Leave a Comment

 

A Bordeaux style blend of Cabernet Merlot from Navarra in Spain rich with blackcurrant pastille, cedary oak, liquorice, red plum and cinnamon. Mint slice joins the party on your palate and exotic spice pervades the aromas and warms the palate.

The higher alcohol gives the whole experience a lift.  Ripe and chewy, it is a wine that will bring the best out of a lamb tagine.  I would drink it now but you could keep it in the cellar for just another couple of years if you wished.

Date: March 2013   Price:  $33  Value: $$  Drink:  Now  – 3 years

Be the first to like.
Unlike

Feb
8

By

Voyager Estate Girt by Sea Cabernet Merlot 2010

Category: elegant reds, Margaret River, Red Wine Tags: , , Leave a Comment

Margaret River produces some of Australia’s best Cabernet blends and this one is particularly delicious. Blended from 60% Cabernet and around 38% Merlot, the Girt by Sea is fragrant with violets, plums and berries with some spicy oak in support.

It is a juicy wine with silky tannins that move along the length of the palate. At no time, does it lose its elegance with a well shaped medium bodied palate. This wine rates very high on the drinkability scale and will be a great company to venison sausages with caramelized onion.

Date: November 2012   Price:  $24  Value:  $$$     Drink:  Now – 5 years

Be the first to like.
Unlike

Dec
23

By

Vasse Felix Cabernet Merlot 2010

Category: elegant reds, Margaret River, Red Wine Tags: , , Leave a Comment

According to some winemakers from the Margaret River, the region is the Divine’s gift to Cabernet.  It cannot be denied that the region produces some of the best Bordeaux blends in Australia. This is a generously smooth cigar box, violets and black plum kind of cab merlot, with cranberry, pepper with some vanilla toast. Mouthfillingly juicy fruit with the concentration and enough intensity to please. Short term cellaring might smooth out the tannins or you could enjoy it for the food oriented wine that it is.

Date: August 2012   Price:  $24    Value:  $$     Drink: Now – 5+ years

Be the first to like.
Unlike
« Older Posts