Good folk at Pertaringa, making honest wines of some quality. I should have warned them not to mess with Merlot in McLaren Vale…although to be fair I believe there are some grapes from the Adelaide Hills in the mix too.
It’s plummy with liquered edges, mint and some chocolate custard oak. Plenty of sweet fruit and the appearance of fleshiness, although closer inspection reveals that it’s just puffed its chest out and underneath that pose it is thin, flat and unpersuasive. Acid and lots of woody, grainy tannin attempt to mould the flavour without much success. Merlot as a straight varietal in warm climate regions? Just say no. 85 Average
Region: McLaren Vale
Alcohol: 14.0%
Closure: Screwcap
Price: $22
Tasted: December 2012