Geoff Merrill Reserve Shiraz 2015

So much to like here. The team select their suitable barrels from McLaren Vale for this wine, then blend them together in a mix of new and used American and French oak for a further stint of maturation. Overall, the wine sees 29 months in oak, but the quality fruit has swallowed that. An opaque maroon, this is a compelling McLaren Vale Shiraz. Some development, as is to be expected from a wine now eight years old, but it is still fresh and richly flavoured and undoubtedly has a long future ahead of it. Mouthfilling flavours with chocolate, cassis, orange rind notes, florals and herbs. Very long, but the wine is balanced throughout with plenty of grip. Drink over the next decade.