> Review this wine
The quality of the Merlot off our home block in any given season never ceases to astound us. This sprawling, big leafed, small berried (and shy berried, as it turns out) vine certainly has the ability to produce wines which are as substantial in character as they are abundant in sweet fruit. In a year generally praised for its white wines, our 2002 Merlot is the gutsiest we have made since the raunchy 1998.
The very dark colour and deep garnet hue are noteworthy clues to the weight of the wine to come. Deep and intense berry-fruits leap from the glass and fill the nostrils, along with cedary oak and a peppery complexity reminiscent of caper berries. The palate too is dominated by loads of sweet fruit. Red and black currants and maybe blackberry nip, seduce the taste buds and render them vulnerable to the gentle onslaught of high-polish 200grit tannins, which grip the palate in a classic Half Nelson embrace.
This is a bold young wine with fullness and mouth-feel to burn and a finish that is long and sweet, if a little sandy at this stage. Expect it to drink very nicely between early 2004 and 2007
Harvest Date: 20 April 2003
Brix at Harvest: 24.2*
Final Alcohol: 13.2%
Residual Sugar: NIL
pH: 3.61
Acid: 6.08g/l
Bottling Date: 1 July 2003
Release Date: October 2003
Cellaring: 1-5 years
