2016 Geoff Merrill Jacko's Blend Shiraz, McLaren Vale

Gorgeously fruited and enticing with dark plum, sweet cherry, rich floral, cocoa and cedar notes, it's succulent and wonderfully flavoursome in the mouth delivering terrific fruit richness backed by spicy nuances and silky tannins. At its best: now to 2030.

94 points Sam Kim wineorbit.co.nz

“Michael “Jacko” James worked in our cellars until he succumbed to a long battle with leukemia at the age of 26. His legendary character and courage left a lasting impression on everyone he met. Our tribute to him is this full bodied Shiraz which displays rich peppery fruit over a firm underlying structure with great length.” 

Aged for 29 months in new and seasoned American and French oak hogsheads and puncheons.

The colour is a dark blood red with hints of purple in the hue. The aroma is warm and inviting, displaying spice, earth, leather, black olive, savoury meats and McLaren Vale chocolate. The palate shows ripe red berries, plum and blackberry with rounded grippy tannins and lively acidity. Enjoy with BBQ Italian sausages, pizza with salami, roast lamb and BBQ ribs.