2004 Merlot – MAGNUM (1500ml)

$165.00

2004 “Watercolour Range” Merlot
1.5 Ltr Magnum

Tasting notes

This 3rd vintage release is showing an increasing depth of character as the vines become older.  The aromas of fine chocolate, ripe plums and dark cherries inherent in this variety are superbly balanced by the fresh vanillin flavours of new French oak.  The wine suits flavoursome dishes such as meat pastas and lamb orientated foods.
With good cellaring the wines optimum drinking will occur between 5 to 7 years for a 750ml bottle, however being bottled into a 1.5Lt Magnum, expect the wine to show well for some years to come.

Nose: Showing aromas of fine chocolate, ripe plums and dark fruit, all superbly balanced with fresh vanilla.

Palate: Medium bodied with lovely ripe dark fruit and chocolate combined with firm silky tannins make this an extremely approachable wine.

Finish: The finish is all berry and vanilla, very long and hugely satisfying.

Food: The wine suits flavoursome dishes such as meat pastas and lamb orientated foods.

Cellaring: With good cellaring the wines optimum drinking will occur between 5 to 7 years for a 750ml bottle,
NOTE: This wine being bottled into a 1.5Lt Magnum, expect the wine to show well for quite some years to come.

Vintage comments 2004

The 2004 season commenced with a long and cool lead up which allowed the vines the opportunity to develop great intensity and provide robust flavours; an absolute necessity in any wine but particularly those intended to undergo extended bottle maturation. A warm January and February followed, and the majority of vineyards thought that harvest would commence around the middle of March. What transpired over the last few years is a cooling off phase in the weather during early March and then moderate levels of rainfall started to occur delaying harvest firstly by a few days and then up to a week. Flavours held their own due to the long warm lead into the season and were able to withstand the unwanted rains and the berries were able to continue their development virtually unimpeded through to what has been the latest harvest we have had at Rickety Gate.