Recognition

Most drinkers regard merlot as a simple, light quafer with hints of plum and raspberry but the best merlots offer intensity, depth of flavour, firm tannin structure and serious length. Merlot works best blended with cabernet and other Bordeaux varieties, …

Good Wine Guide 2011 Merlot of the Year

Another merlot that speaks first of its oak – quite cedary and gently smoky – then mulberry, dried plums and spice. The palate’s laid out on sweetly ripe tannins, delivering plum flavour …

Excellent crimson hue; potent merlot red fruits and hints of savoury herb on the way through the palate meeting firm, slightly dry, tannins on the back-palate and finish. Needs patience. Cork.

13.5% alc. Rating 94 Drink 2020 $71.50 Date Tasted …

I notice that this review was in last year’s edition of the Big Red Wine Book – but didn?t make it to the site. An oversight. Not sure who wrote this one – Mr Walsh or myself. In any case …

he first of Tapanappa’s Wrattonbully wines tasted here, this merlot displays a wonderful vibrant lift to its somewhat minty/herbal edged red plum and boysenberry notes, with oak integration looking pretty good right now. It displays great freshness to its aroma. …

Apparently the Whalebone vineyard turns 35 this year, with Brian first sighting it back in the early 80’s when he was working with Geoff Weaver (who was producing Cabernet from it). The vineyard shares the same celebrated soil structure as …

The two new red releases from the Whalebone Vineyard are of definite 100 Best standard. We have chosen to lead with the Merlot ahead of the Cabernet / Shiraz blend, it being the much more challenging wine to make. Stunningly …

Nothing soft and slurpable here ? this is a serious merlot?.it’s overall quality is superb. It’s ripped with tannin, deep, plum-shot flavour, cedary oak and more general earthen, smoky notes. Forget the descriptors: it’s grippy and bold and quite beautiful.…