Continuing the Merlot theme from the other night… this is under screwcap so will be interesting to see how it is aging after 8 years. Inky black, the nose is a deep blackberry, black cherry with a touch of heat, dashes of black pepper, liquorice – overall a quite powerful nose. Soft on the front palate, the tannins are grippy on the back, still seeing a streak of heat coming through the length of it. The acidity is a bit out of whack, seemingly lifting above the fruit and leaving it behind, with some some time in the decanter it starts to come together as the wine warms up, a bit of reductiveness starts to poke it’s head up as well. (so2 gas and rubber) so will come back in 30mins.
The wine is more about power than the Hillcrest Merlot, stylistically more McLaren Vale than Yarra Valley. Admittedly it gives a fair bit away in the dollar stakes at nearly half the price. (although in recent years this has narrowed down to $45 vs $70) which to me makes the Hillcrest better value as an overall experience.
There is a nice smoothness to the wine, how it flows across the palate, coating your mouth as it starts to open up. The label states 14% alc, I’m thinking it would be closer to 14.5%. 5 years ago I probably would have been all over this but nowadays I’m looking for more elegance/interest in wines, would be perfect with a nice bit of medium-rare rib eye.
