Dandelion Vineyards Damsel of the Barossa Merlot 2020
- 93
- $30
- Drink by: 2021 - 2026
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If the Skyhooks were winelovers, that old song just might be ‘Merlot is not a Dirty Word’. Oh how the mighty… The grapes for this were sourced from an old vine Barossa vineyard, harvested by way of whole bunches, gently crushed and naturally fermented in open fermenters for eight days. Hand plunged twice a day and then basket pressed into older French and American barriques. After a year and a half maturing, it was bottled without filtration or fining.
Merlot was the hottest thing on the planet before that movie – you know the one. Now, it is the red-haired stepchild of grapes. Shame, as good ones can be delicious and this is a good one. Inky dark black with lifted aromatics, this has the fruitcake/plum pudding notes that can be found in the better examples. Rich, even a bit decadent. Also notes of chocolate and aniseed. Finely balanced with a good lingering finish and a soft texture, this is a prime example of what Merlot can be. It shows why this grape was so popular before that film.
Ken was born and bred in Brisbane, Queensland. He had a non-trendy, perfectly happy childhood, in a family convinced alcohol meant instant condemnation to Hades. But a break fishing on the Great Barrier Reef, and some good wine, started a serious obsession that eventually took over. It did not stop Ken being chastised later for drinking Pol champagne, disgusted he’d drink anything made by a Cambodian dictator. Now, Ken mostly writes on wine, champagne and spirits for various newspapers, magazines and books, but is perhaps best known for his work in The Courier Mail. He also has a little sideline writing on cigars, fishing, travel and food. When not writing, fly-fishing for trout in NZ or bonefish on the flats of Cuba, travelling or smoking cigars, he is no doubt following a variety of sporting teams – the occasionally glorious Queensland Reds rugby, the dysfunctional Washington Redskins, the dodgy Arsenal and especially revels in the world restored to its proper axis with the return of the Ashes to their rightful home.
