Below & Above Merlot 2015

Merlot – it is the grape variety that Australia struggles to get right. Often the local wines are too big and bold, lacking the delicacy and silkiness of the best from this variety. Merlot loves a cool climate which is the secret to this wine made down near Pemberton in Western Australia’s Southern Forests region.

This is a proper merlot with all the trimmings. Red currant, olive tapenade, and cedar too in a gently fragrant and almost perfumed merlot style. It is then dry, mid-weight and seamless – generous red and black berry fruits with a dusting of herbs are well supported by fresh acidity and well integrated tannins which come together to provide a lingering and balanced finish. It is a super merlot to enjoy over the next five years with a mushroom risotto.

Angus Hughson

Founder at Winepilot

Angus is an award-winning wine writer and the Founder and Publisher of Winepilot, the Australian Editor for leading international publication VINOUS with Antonio Galloni based in New York City and the Co-Publisher of The Australian Ark with over 15 years of publishing, writing and judging experience.

Critic and publisher