Stonehaven Stepping Stone Merlot 2020
- 90
- $20
- Drink by: 2022-2025
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The grapes for this pleasant, easy-drinking red are sourced from three individual vineyards throughout the Limestone Coast. As is done across the board with the Stonehaven Wines, harvest takes place in the cool of the night to assist in retaining both freshness and varietal character. The grapes undergo a 48 hour cold soak, followed by fermentation over the next eight days and a gentle pressing. 20% of the wine is matured in American oak.
The colour is a gentle crimson. The nose is soft and fresh with hints of mulberries, cherries, plums and raisins, with some fruitcake to round things out. Fresh, with a lovely depth of flavour, this is an easy drinking style with some gentle tannins and decent length. There is a pleasing sour plum note right on the finish. Enjoy this over the next couple of years.
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.
