Happy Cellar Saturday! It's the first Saturday of the month and a perfect opportunity to raid the cellar for something at least a decade in the making. Though I often have to dig deep for Cellar Saturday wines, this one I didn't have to dig at all since it's only been in my cellar a few weeks thanks to an opportune buy from Wines Till Sold Out! The 2011 Clarendon Hills Brookman Vineyard Merlot is a 100% Merlot from the Brookman Vineyard in the McLaren Vale in South Australia. It's been a while since I've enjoyed an Australian wine that wasn't Syrah, so let's see what this wine has to offer!
The wine is a deep ruby color in the glass, just as you'd expect from a nice Merlot. As you lift the glass, you catch aromas of black cherry, currant and hints of mocha with undertones of leather and earthy spice. On your first sip you are greeted with a rush of black plum, cherry and currant that dance with notes of vanilla, before transitioning to wonderful fresh herb notes of thyme and white pepper midpalate. The tannins are well structured and velvety, providing for a wonderfully dry finish that lingers amid a reprise of herb notes.
Overall, I would rate this wine a solid 9, as it's just a pleasant drinking Merlot and a terrific value at just $22! This wine would pair well with many hearty dishes, from lamb to steak, or a warm shepherd's pie as the temperature dips near zero here this evening. But tonight, I'm taking the road less traveled and enjoying this wine with a homemade risotto Milanese topped with pan seared sea scallops. Cheers!
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