Nose/Aroma: Light(++) intensity of black-cherry fruit both before and after the swirl. I did get an initial, but fleeting, whiff of eucalyptus but that never reappeared. There is also a slight hint of spice, clove and vanilla, but they are elusive and only appear after the swirl.
Palate: This is a dry, full-bodied wine with medium(++) tannins that are somewhat hard (austere) with medium(++) acidity. The fruit character is of medium intensity displaying unripe black cherry, spicy clove with a hint of vanilla or baking chocolate. There is no indication of alcohol burn (13.5%ABV).
Finish/Length: The finish is clean with a medium(-) length of unripe cherry along with the lingering sensation of astringency from the tannins.
Conclusion: This is not a fruity wine. Although the tannins are of a medium(++) level they seem too hard (possibly from an attempt at over-extraction of color during production). The fruit intensity and flavors combined with the hard astringency might make this perfect for a non-spicy BBQ Hamburger but without a beef dish, beware! At a retail price of US$16.99 I do not perceive much value when there are other wines on the market at the same or a lower price with better balance. Drink now or over next 12 months. Maybe the tannins will soften, but I doubt it.
Producers Notes: This supple, full-flavored Merlot features a fine-tuned acidity that lifts and accentuates a brooding dark-fruit core. Juicy black cherry spreads thick across the middle and is joined by spicy clove and sweet vanilla notes. The velvety tannins span the medium long finish for a well-balanced, mouthwatering finale. This approachable, enjoyable Merlot make a fine companion to roasted game, pasta or rich risotto.
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