Geoff Merrill Jacko’s Shiraz 2015

This cracking Shiraz is a tribute it Michael ‘Jacko’ James, a cellar hand at the Geoff Merrill winery before he tragically passed. I am certain he would be more than delighted with the wine. 100% McLaren Vale Shiraz which spent 27 months in a mix of American and French hogsheads and puncheons, 10% of which were new. 

This is dense and intense but the key is the immaculate balance throughout. Flavours range through chocolate and cloves with a hint of spices and pepper. Such silky tannins at the finish, which is impressively long. At no stage does the slide-rule perfect balance ever waiver. This is a beautiful Shiraz, showing just how impressive the wines from McLaren Vale can be. Even better, this is a genuine contender for best value wine of the year.