Colour and Condition: Deep brick red hue; bright condition. Nose: A really youthful appeal, with an immediate impression of dark fruit aromas black berries, mulberries and black currants. A second viewing shows the beginnings Merlots darker side, with tar, leather and earth just starting to add complexity into the background. Palate: The classic Merlot palate, with rich, dark berry flavours like black jubes filling the front and mid palate. Firm tannin then takes over and gives the wine a linear, astringent but not too aggressive finish, which is juicy and concentrated.

Built in the 16th century and situated in Barsac at about 30 kilometers from Bordeaux, Château Massereau was acquired by the Chaigneau family in 2000. A 19 hectare estate with 10 planted (6,600 – 7000 plants/hectare) in the Barsac, Graves and Bordeaux Superieur appellations. Château Massereau Bordeaux Supérieur 2018 is a blend of 50% Merlot, 25% Cabernet Sauvignon, 15% Cabernet Franc & 10% Petit Verdot. Vinified in concrete vats for 4-8 weeks naturally without additional yeast, finings, filtration and low sulphite. The resulting wine is garnet in colour with an intense nose of black fruit, with hints of sweet spice and pepper.

In every wine region there are hidden gems, and Bordeaux is no exception. Chateau Chantecaille Clauzel is a tiny (0.4ha) patch of vines right on the border between St-Emilion and Pomerol, wedged in by vines owned owned by Chateaux LEvangile and La Dominique. Illustrious near-neighbours include Cheval Blanc, Petrus and Gazin. Chance, a proud family history and local politics account for its survival. If the cards had fallen differently Chantecaille Clauzels fruit would be incorporated in a much more famous and much more expensive wine. Chantecaille Clauzel is essentially Merlot, with a little Cabernet Franc. The wine is vinified in stainless steel and matured in seasoned barriques (just five or six of them) at the Clauzel familys nearby Chateau Guillot Clauzel.

Are you looking for a gift for the prestigious wine lover in you life? This beautifully presented single bottle timber box, complete with Belvoir Shiraz and wood wool is your answer. This wines comes from an award-winning vineyard in the renowned wine region of Bendigo. It offers luscious red berry and cherry flavours with spicy herbal overtones on the palate. Maturation is French Oak has added refined tannin structure length and balance. The winemaker, Ian Hall, is an artisan winemaker who has been producing award-winning wines for over 25 years.

This Merlot is, without any doubt, a faithful representation of its variety. It´s complex, very spicy, and has refined and ripe tannins with balanced natural acidity. Aromas consists ofcassis and candied red berries with spiced notes.

Eye:Classic deep purple colour Nose:Intense aromas,of little red fruits and cherries Palate:Good structure with harmonic balance and soft tannins.

"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

Podere La Brancaia is one of Tuscanys leading wine estates, each year winning national and international awards. The winery is located in the heart of the Chianti Classico zone at Poppi, in Radda in Chianti, and draws on its own fruit from Poppi and La Brancaia in Castellina. A selection of their best Sangiovese, with 20% Merlot, matured in barriques (half new) for 16 months, followed by 6 months in the bottle. Loaded with ripe fruits of dark cherry and plum, the Merlot gives the wine mid-palate depth and richness to make this a great wine for drinking now or cellaring over the short term.