"Performing even better from bottle than it did from barrel, the 2002 Merlot Brookman Vineyard offers complex aromas of sweet espresso roast, black cherries, and white chocolate. This is a thick, juicy Merlot with plenty of structure and tannin as well as considerable intensity and impressive volume. It may be the finest Merlot ever produced in Australia. It will drink well for 10-15 years. Roman Bratasiuk is one of Planet Earths greatest winemakers, and obviously a top-notch viticulturist given his obsession with sourcing extraordinary fruit from ancient McLaren Vale vineyards. 91 points Drink 2004-2019" Wine Advocate #155 (Oct 2004) Robert Parker

CLARENDON HILLS Brookman Vineyard Merlot, McLaren Vale Clarendon Hills’ Brookman Vineyard is among the highest in McLaren Vale, 250m higher and 10km north-east of the McLaren Vale township. The vines were planted on clay soils in the late 1960s and are dry-grown. Grapes are hand-picked 2-3 weeks later than on the flats, following a long, mild and generally consistent ripening period. Fermentation as whole berries, using wild yeasts, precedes 18 months maturation in tight-grained French Oak, 85% new, the rest between one and four years old. The final wine is a barrel selection. Brookman Merlot is noted for mulberry and blackcurrant fruit, spice and Christmas cake aromas, opulence, richness of flavour and softness with finely balanced tannins.