2024 Dandelion Damsel of the Barossa Merlot, Barossa Valley

Dandelion Damsel of the Barossa Merlot from the Barossa Valley is a plush, fruit-driven red that combines generous Barossa ripeness with refined texture and balance. Crafted by winemaker Elena Brooks, it reflects Dandelion Vineyards’ philosophy of nurturing old vines with minimal intervention to produce wines of purity and regional character. The Damsel Merlot is sourced from select Barossa vineyards that produce small, concentrated berries full of vibrant flavour and natural richness.

The fruit is hand picked and fermented with native yeasts in small open fermenters before gentle basket pressing. The wine then spends around eighteen months maturing in seasoned French oak barrels, allowing soft tannins to develop and integrating the variety’s natural plushness with subtle spice and savoury complexity.

In the glass it shows deep crimson with purple hues. The aroma is expressive and inviting, showing dark cherry, plum, and mulberry layered with hints of chocolate, bay leaf, and gentle oak. The palate is smooth and rounded, offering ripe berry fruit and spice framed by fine-grained tannins and bright acidity. The finish is long and supple, with just enough structure to give definition without heaviness.

It pairs beautifully with roast lamb, mushroom risotto, grilled meats, or pasta with tomato-based sauces. Delicious in its youth for its softness and generosity, it will also age gracefully for up to eight years.