1998 Ashwood Grove Black Label Merlot

Merlot has become one of Australia's favourite red wines, and in New Zealand a lot of effort is being made to produce a top quality product. The recipie for success appears two fold, firstly low yields and secondly the use of a variety of fermentation techniques. The Ashwood Grove Merlot is a soft easy drinking style, fruit driven, but lacks complexity, which could have been achieved with more winemaking effort.Opaque crimson colour. The nose displays spicy plum and stewed fruit aromas followed by some cherry and liquorice end notes. Good weight, straightforward palate flavours, followed by soft tannins and cherry, spice and plum aftertaste.

RETASTED: Opaque crimson colour. The nose displays spicy stewed fruit aromas, followed by cherry and liquorice end notes. Good weight with spicy cherry flavours. Soft tannin structure followed by a cherry, plum aftertaste. A well made fruit driven style. Cellar 2-3 years.