Norton Summit, Adelaide Hills

South Australia 

From Lauren: Made in a light, bright and fruit forward style, with the explicit intension of proving how delicious Single Varietal Merlot can be! The hand-harvested fruit was fermented in stainless steel, with approximately 40% whole bunches. After 12 days on skins it was pressed to French oak barriques and matured for 8 months. With a hint of carbonic fermentation on the nose, the overt ripe berries and pomegranate notes are supported by the traditional blood plum, vanilla and the tell-tale Australian Eucalyptus. Tannins are slightly crunchy, but fine and ripe, giving length and generosity. Can be served slightly chilled.

"This is a crunchy red wine with a fair bit going on. It also offers a fair body of flavour. There are ample twig, spice and leaf notes strewn through the wine, almost but not quite to the point of hardness, though berried fruit keeps things rolling attractively along. This is a wine that definitely responds well to air; I had my doubts at first but as it breathed I swung entirely around to its view. It’s a good wine. Lively, crunchy, generous and strict at once." Campbell Mattinson, The WineFront