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For Your Pleasure
"For your pleasure
In our present state
Part false part true
Like anything
We present ourselvesThe words we use tumble
All over your shoulder
Gravel hard and looseThere all night lying
With your dark horse hiding
Abhorring such extremes" - Bryan FerryCategories
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Category Archives: Merlot
2012 Smith & Hooper Reserve Merlot
From Wrattonbully , a region which appears to have developed the reputation of being the poor man’s Coonawarra. With names like Tapanappa and Terre à Terre making their mark that may all change. This Merlot is more perfunctory than ‘Reserve’ … Continue reading
2012 McWilliam’s Hanwood Estate Merlot
Metlot Sweet and sour flavours. Plums and berries. The sort of woody tannin I rightly or wrongly associate with oak staves. Vanilla custard. It’s all a bit hollow and skinny, and it doesn’t hang around long. 83 Region: Australia Alcohol: … Continue reading
2012 Punt Road Yarra Valley Merlot
The Yarra Valley appears to have a number of sites suited to Merlot yet I don’t sense a lot of enthusiasm for the variety within the region. This would be one of the last Punt Road wines Kate Goodman played … Continue reading
2011 Blue Poles Reserve Merlot
A (relatively small) increase in price may well lead to more sales. Wine is funny like that. A more compote-like character to the raspberry fruit high-tones than I remember from previous releases. Spicier too; cloves, cinnamon and fennel seeds. The … Continue reading
2012 Oakridge Local Vineyard Series Oakridge Vineyard Merlot
No-one ever mentions Oakridge winemaker David Bicknell’s unrelenting enthusiasm for Merlot. Medium-bodied, vital and structured. Very much the sort of expression I think we should be pursuing in Australia. Brambly fruit, both red and black, mingles with herbs, autumn leaf, … Continue reading
2012 Ridgemill Estate Merlot
Tasted over three days. Certainly needs a thorough decant. The acidity starts out pokey but works itself into the wine in time. It never quite got to where I wanted it but that was my main complaint. Sweet blackberry and plums … Continue reading
Is Orange the New Black?
“Other people aren’t the scariest part of prison…it’s coming face to face with who you really are. Because once you’re behind these walls, there’s nowhere to run, even if you could run. The truth catches up with you in here…and … Continue reading
Posted in Articles, Cabernet et al, Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon, Chardonnay, Gewürztraminer, Merlot, Merlot et al, Orange, Pinot Noir, Riesling, Sauvignon Blanc, Shiraz, Sparkling, Wine Musings
Tagged Articles, Wine Musings
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2011 TarraWarra K-Block Merlot
I was in a car driving past this vineyard, opposite the little valley that holds Giant Steps’ Tarraford vineyard, less than a month ago. No one much really likes to talk about Merlot in Australia but I enjoyed the glimpse … Continue reading
2011 Cumulus Merlot
Something kept me coming back to this wine over three days yet it never really produced any enjoyment. I admire the savoury and serious intent that I see behind it but the tough vintage has probably won out it the … Continue reading
2012 Redbank The Long Paddock Merlot
The more interesting of the two 2012 Redbank reds and for that reason it warrants a review. If you’re after a safer, less challenging and unremarkable red at around the $10 mark then you might be better off with the … Continue reading