Lowe, Merlot 2016, Mudgee, New South Wales, Australia

Tasting Note: A full-throttle merlot with streaks of black fruit running throughout the length of the taste.

Deep-intensity ruby in color, this wine has an aromatic, medium-plus-intensity nose of blackberry, red currant, bramble, black cherry, black plum and vanilla baking spice.

On the palate the dry, full-bodied merlot has medium-plus-intensity flavors suggested on the nose supported by medium acidity and grippy, medium-plus tannin.

There is midpalate complexity and that essential varietal character that makes merlot one of the world’s most-expensive, bottled grape varietals.

Bottle Note: The year is 1989. I am the lowest of the low at Chateau Petrus. For the first time I realize Mudgee will make world class merlot. I have been chasing the dream for 30 years and I have never been closer. When I catch it, you’ll know and then we call it Merlowe. I am taking this personally. Dry grown, certified organic and biodynamic. Fermented with natural yeast in open fermenters. Matured in new French oak puncheons for 18 months. Medium bodied with soft tannins the wine is suitable for consumption from now until 2022.