2017 Hickinbotham The Revivalist Merlot

Totally opaque black dark red colour with a dark red black tinged hue. Pronounced blackcurrant and mulberry aromas sail out of the glass complexed by notions of cigar box, dried herbs, subtle black olive, earth and spice. Rich blackcurrant, liquorice and ripe mulberry fruits combine on the medium bodied palate with earthy tobacco, vanillin cedar, dried herb and spice elements sitting underneath. Finishes slightly firm with grainy tannins providing excellent structure. Long generous yet refined aftertaste.
Cellar 5-6 years.
Alc. 14%

Other Reviews….
A dense crimson verging on opaque. Merlot's postcode waft of leaf and plum is present from the first whiff. The tannins are more gentle than cabernet, sure, but far from shy, expanding with time in the glass and stamped by 21 days on skins, daily pumpovers and three rack and returns. The oak, synergistic with a regime that sacrifices nothing when it comes to attention to detail, is sourced from Bordeaux coopers of the highest tier (25% new; 15 months). As good as any merlot on these shores. Drink by 2029.
96 points
Ned Goodwin – James Halliday’s Australian Wine Companion