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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
2011 Yalumba Y Series Merlot
These 2011 Yalumba Y Series reds are by no means bad wines. But they aren’t of the same standard as previous vintages. Wet, cool season across most of South Eastern Australia. [broken record playing] Smells good. Damson plums, black cherries … Continue reading
2010 Mike Press Merlot
Mike Press is one of the quite performers when it comes to Australian Merlot. Not sure there are any “loud” Australian Merlot performers, but anyway… Plenty of red fruited action but it’s mostly a savoury wine. Oak-driven structure means that … Continue reading
2009 Lowe Bobby Lowe Organic Sparkling Merlot
One of the more off-beat sparking reds I’ve tasted, that’s for sure. Spent three years in large oak and no time on lees. Tastes bloody dry too. Smells and tastes of earth, plums, leaf matter, leather and olives. A fair whack … Continue reading
2010 Pertaringa Stage Left Merlot
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 … Continue reading
2010 Blue Poles Reserve Merlot
Could this be the best Blue Poles Reserve Merlot yet? In time I reckon the answer will be yes. It’s a touch introverted at the moment but time in the decanter (or a second day of tasting) and it’s happy to … Continue reading
Re-evaluating Australian Merlot: Taking a Step Back from Fear and Loathing
If Bordeaux is unfashionable these days amongst the wine media, sommeliers and the cognoscenti, then it’s not too far off the mark to say that Australian Merlot is loathed. There are reasons for this (apart from plain ignorance, which still … Continue reading
Posted in Articles, Australia, Canberra, Eden Valley, Granite Belt, Margaret River, McLaren Vale, Merlot, Yarra Valley
Tagged Articles, Wine Events, Wine Musings, Wine Reviews
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2010 Tarrawarra K-Block Merlot
Australian Merlot used to be somewhat of a joke. Alcoholic plum juice sourced from warm climates with little structure and even less interest. It was, quite simply, what your Mother slugged back at the end of a long day, mainly … Continue reading
2009 Taylors Estate Merlot
Clare Valley 14.5% Screwcap $18.95 These 2009 ‘Estate’ reds from Taylors are workman like ‘punter’ wines and at their often discounted price I’m fairly sure they’ll find an audience. The Merlot lacks any real sense of excitement but it’s generously flavoured and … Continue reading
Posted in Clare Valley, Merlot
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2006 Parker Terra Rossa Merlot
Coonawarra 14.0% Screwcap $40 Anyone familiar with the Balnaves label will be well aware that Pete Bissell isn’t shy about using a bit of oak. He’s quite capable of pulling it off too, under the right circumstances. This one sees … Continue reading
Posted in Coonawarra, Merlot
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2009 Capital Wines The Backbencher Merlot
Canberra 13.5% Screwcap $25 A great example of an approachable young Merlot that’s not just plummy and dumb. Yes, there’s juicy, fresh red and black forest berry fruit but some olive tapenade gives the wine a lovely, savoury edge. Chocolate shavings, … Continue reading