2017 Geoff Merrill Bush Vine SGM, McLaren Vale

A blend of 52/38/10% shiraz/grenache/mourvèdre; 22 months in seasoned American and French puncheons. A heady but savoury expression of the classic blend, with black plum, dried cherry, licorice, turned earth, rum and raisin, tapenade, dried rosemary and bitumen. This is ready to go, with good preservation of fruit flavour from the cool year, though in the expressly rich house style.

90 points ME winecompanion.com.au

Named after the beautiful old Bush Vine Grenache vineyard owned by mates of mine in McLaren Vale. The Grenache component in this wine is hand picked to best preserve this glorious old vineyard. We have been taking fruit from this block for many years and it’s one of our favourites.

A soft and savoury palate with warmth, length and finely textured tannins. A solid mid palate and balanced acidity provides weight and depth. An opulent wine that is developing nicely into a wine rack gem.