Gioiello Estate Merlot 2023
- 93
- $30
- Drink by: 2026-2036
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Merlot from the Goulburn Valley region in Victoria, the wine spent eighteen months in French oak barriques for maturation, 20% of which were new. Deep garnet with a pale crimson rim, the nose offers aromas of plums, leather, animal flesh, dried herbs, bay leaves, fruit cake, a touch of chocolate and aniseed. There is a generous and approachable plushness on the palate, with a soft texture through to the velvety tannins. Good balance throughout, this is a delicious and refreshing Merlot which, if well cellared, should provide pleasure for the next decade.
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.
