2008 Blue Poles Reserve Merlot

Margaret River 14.0% Screwcap $35
Blue Poles are amongst the leaders in getting consumers to rethink their position on the value of Australian Merlot.  When it’s done well, it can be excellent.  Following on from the more sinewy 07, this wine is further proof of the worth of the variety in this country.

Crushed black berries and plum, cocoa, nutmeg, black olives and leaf with sweeter concentrated red fruit spread thinly over the base flavours and smells. Pebbled driveways and polished floors all at once. Quite rich, silky and pure on entry, the palate has a balance of juiciness constrained by smoothly integrated & somewhat soft but assured tannins. Length to die for. Mocha oak an impeccable match for intense fruit that may even be better than that used for the previous vintage. I think it will live just as long but it’s actually a little more approachable early on than that year’s version. Still, the emphasis is on elegance and shape rather than power. Extra-ordinary wine, can’t really fault it. All I can say is that it will only get better from here, probably picking up greater complexity and even more layers and depth.

ps- this hasn’t been released just yet, so instead of a bottle image I thought I’d include an image of the Blue Poles vineyard.

Winery Website- http://www.bluepolesvineyard.com.au/

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