2017 Geoff Merrill Reserve Shiraz, McLaren Vale

Like many of the wines in the Merrill stable this is very good value. A barrel selection, the winners are blended and returned to a mix of new and older American oak. Dark maroon with a blood red rim, this is big and ripe and rich. Oozing aromas of chocolate, coffee beans, cassis, plums, cocoa beans and mocha, the wine is seamless, soft and seductive. There is great length here through to its silky tannins with everything immaculately balanced throughout. It still has another ten to fifteen years ahead of it. Love it. Drink 2026 to 2041.

97 points Ken Gargett for Wine Pilot, April 2026

Merrill is in a fortunate position to be able to hold back quite a few of his reserve wines. And so here’s a ten-year-old Shiraz that really is starting to move into its drinking zone, albeit with many years ahead of it. There’s just the faintest hint of wet leather on the nose that balances with the plummy, dark chocolatey fruit characters. Palate is rich with a cedary influence and plenty of deep, lingering fruit power supported by ample oak. It’s a wine that really captures much about McLaren Vale and, to that extent, the Merrill style. A complete, well-rounded, and poised Shiraz. Drink 2026 to 2038.

96 points Ray Jordan for Wine Pilot, April 2026

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 and Scott taste through the barrels approximately a year after vintage to identify those with the character and structure to warrant the Reserve designation. The selected barrels are blended and returned to new and seasoned American and French oak hogsheads for extended additional maturation before bottling and further ageing at the winery. The wine is released only when ready.

The 2017 McLaren Vale season was mild and long after a wet and cold spring. This allowed the vines to stay healthy and resulted in a good quality crop, with levels slightly above the average. The wines are generally speaking fine and tight with fresh berry fruit and savoury characters alongside the variety's natural depth.

Dense dark red with a hint of brick development, the nose shows dark plum, tapenade, cake spice and cedary oak with an earthy, savoury depth. The palate is rich and full-bodied with chocolate and dark fruit, well-integrated tannins and a long, lingering finish.

A more traditional take on McLaren Shiraz, the 2017 Merrill Reserve Shiraz is entering a comfortable and rewarding drinking window. Give it plenty of air before serving with BBQ ribs or a piece of nice aged hard cheese. 

Drink now through 2030.