Gioiello Old House Merlot 2020
- 92
- $50
- Drink by: 2025-2031
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After destemming this ripe Merlot fruit from the Upper Goulburn region spends a year and a half, or thereabouts, maturing in French barriques. The colour here is a red/garnet, while the nose gives us plums (and a touch of plum pudding), spices and cherries and hints of a rather attractive rustic note – the sort of thing that some love, while others are not quite so fond. If that is your style, this is your wine. An earthy, savoury style with a pleasingly supple texture with gentle cherry notes to the fore on the palate supported by silky tannins on a persistent and well-crafted finish. Will provide pleasure for the next half dozen years, likely longer if you wish. One for Merlot fans.
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.
