Old House Merlot 2018

Tasting Notes

Our 2018 Old House Merlot offers aromatics of warm spiced plums. The palate displays savoury black olive, balanced with plums, toasty oak and spices.

Vinification

Merlot grapes are handpicked, de-stemmed and crushed into open-top fermenters. The wine is gently pressed and matured in French oak barriques for 18 months.

Winemaker : Scott McCarthy

2018 Vintage

2018 vintage saw some early season humidity but concluded with a warm and dry summer resulting in an earlier harvest date for this parcel of fruit on the 22nd of February.

Wine Reviews

"This is elegant and beautifully refined, showing sweet berry, game, dried herb, clove and roasted nut aromas on the nose, followed by an elegantly weighted palate delivering fine persistency and flow, backed by chalky tannins, finishing lingering and structured. At its best : now to 2032".

94 points - Sam Kim, Wine Orbit, June 2022

"This is a thoroughly beautiful merlot from the Upper Goulburn, spicy plummy notes on the nose with an infusion of blackberry and prune. The palate combines deep intensity with a delivery finesse. A little dark chocolate, black olive and lightly toasty oak completes an excellent merlot" Cellar: 10 years

 94 points - Ray Jordan, Wine Pilot, September 2023.

"From the Upper Goulburn region, the grapes were de-stemmed and crushed into open top fermenters, before a gentle pressing into French oak for maturations for 18 months. One-third of the barrels were new. The colour of the wine is a gentle red. There is a classic Merlot nose with plum pudding notes, spices, florals, soy and plums. Oak is evident but well integrated. A layered and supple texture with an attractive undercurrent of acidity. Impressive intensity and a very good length. Drink now and over the next four to six years".

 92 points - Ken Gargett, Wine Pilot, June 2023.