2016 Geoff Merrill Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon, Coonawarra & McLaren Vale

Not many wineries can offer its fans wines that are almost a decade in age, at a price more than competitive with the very latest releases from its competitors, especially when the wine comes from one of the great vintages of this century. This is absolutely brilliant value. The wine spent more than two years in a mix of French and American oak hogsheads, 85% of which was new. The split is 53% Coonawarra fruit and 47% from McLaren Vale. An inky dark maroon hue, the nose offers chocolate, cassis, mocha, tobacco leaves, smoked meats, cloves, leather, coffee beans, blueberries, black fruits and some dried herbs. There is immaculate oak integration here with a supple texture, complexity and seamless structure. Juicy fruit flavours abound, and the wine has excellent balance and serious length. There are fine tannins, and the wine is still fresh and with good energy. It will still provide excellent drinking over the next six to ten years. Drink 2025 to 2035.

96 points Ken Gargett for Wine Pilot, October 2025

This is a blend of 53% Coonawarra and 47% McLaren Vale. The striking thing about this wine is that it gets 32 months in American and French oak, and yet you’d hardly call it excessively oaky. It’s finely balanced, with that thread of linear Cabernet displaying a lift of blackcurrant and olive, while the richer, plush blackberry and plummy notes of McLaren Vale fill out the palate. It has the potential for extended ageing, but as it’s already 9 years old, it is starting to drink well. It has such a supple, balanced palate feel. An excellent wine. Drink 2025 to 2035

95 points Ray Jordan for Wine Pilot, September 2025

A regional blend from 53/47% Coonawarra/McLaren Vale, selected by a dual process starting one year after vintage to select wines that justify further cellaring. Matured 32 months in American and French oak (80% new). The American oak is of high quality, and takes command. Merrill says 'The wine represents the best cabernet we have in our cellar,' and there's no doubt that a la Penfolds Bin 707, it's a compelling wine. Drink 2023 to 2036.

94 points James Halliday for Halliday Wine Companion, July 2023

Geoff Merrill has been making wine at Mount Hurtle in McLaren Vale since 1985. Scott Heidrich has worked alongside Geoff as senior winemaker since 1993, and the style of this wine has remained consistent across every vintage.

Geoff Merrill has had a deep affinity for Coonawarra Cabernet since the early years of his career. The region's terra rossa soils, cool climate and natural minerality produce a Cabernet of particular elegance and structure that he has always valued. The Reserve Cabernet is a best barrel selection from both the Coonawarra and McLaren Vale vineyards, assembled approximately 14 months after vintage through blind tasting by Geoff and senior winemaker Scott Heidrich, then returned to American and French oak hogsheads for extended maturation before bottling. It is released only when the winery considers it ready, with the 2016 representing close to a decade of careful development.

The 2016 season in Coonawarra was excellent, cool and dry with good ripening conditions that produced wines of great definition and structure. The McLaren Vale component adds warmth and fruit weight to the Coonawarra's natural restraint and minerality.

Deep red with a hint of brick development, the nose is composed and detailed — cassis, dark plum, cedar and a thread of mint and black olive that speaks clearly of Coonawarra. The palate is medium to full-bodied and well-structured with fine tannins, good acidity and a long, elegant finish.

A wine that has been well looked after and arrives ready to enjoy. This deserves a nice dinner with family and friends, with the table loaded with roast pumpkin and winter greens, baked eggplant and a roast lamb.