2018 Geoff Merrill Jacko's Blend Shiraz, McLaren Vale

Jacko was, in fact, Michael James, who worked for many years in Merrill’s cellar. He was a bit of a character, and this is a wine that’s full of character. It was a very good season, and this is a generous, full-bodied Shiraz with some lovely dense, chocolatey plummy notes and just a lift of peppery fruit for balance. Tannins have a slightly chalky, grainy feel to them. The oak is well-managed and not insignificant, but the fruit dominates and powers through to the finish. Terrific wine for drinking over the medium term. Drink 2026 to 2034.

94 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.

The Jacko's Shiraz carries a personal story — it was named in memory of Michael "Jacko" James, a young cellar hand who worked at the winery until he lost his battle with leukaemia at the age of 26. Geoff's tribute to him is a full-bodied McLaren Vale Shiraz that reflects the qualities Jacko brought to the cellar: intensity, structure and character.

The 2018 season in McLaren Vale was warm and generous, conditions that suited Shiraz well, producing ripe, concentrated fruit with good natural structure. Extended maturation in new and seasoned American and French oak hogsheads and puncheons, followed by further bottle ageing at the winery before release. The wine arrives ready to drink rather than requiring further cellaring.

Deep red, the nose shows dark plum, blackberry and chocolate with clove, pepper and cedary oak. The palate is full-bodied with rich, ripe fruit, silky tannins and a long, structured finish. Honest and satisfying McLaren Vale Shiraz from a producer who has been doing this well for over four decades.

Enjoy with slow roasted beef or a good lamb dish.