Merlot

Possibly the “wine of the vintage,” the 2008 boasts an inky/blue/purple color as well as a glorious perfume of spring flowers, blueberry and blackberry liqueur, camphor, truffles and crushed rocks. With great fruit on the attack and mid-palate, a medium to full-bodied, multidimensional mouthfeel and a skyscraper-like finish, this prodigious effort over-delivers, even for this phenomenal terroir. Give it 5-8 years of cellaring and drink it over the following 40-50 years.

92-94 Points - Neal Martin

The Moulin St Georges is a blend of 80% Merlot and 20% Cabernet Franc that was picked on the 11th and 12th October respectively. Apparently there was a little bit of rain that they hoped would stop...but it didn’t. The nose is floral and generous with hints of fruitcake infusing the red berry fruit. The palate is medium-bodied with a ripe, rounded entry. It is silky smooth and there is beautiful delineation and poise towards the finish as one often founds with this often under-estimated Saint Emilion. Wonderful tension here, mainly thank to the 3.55pH – great persistency. Tasted April 2013.

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Winemakers notes "A single vineyard wine made from grapes that come from Wild Duck Creek’s original vineyard planted by David back in 1974. A blend of Cabernet Sauvignon (74%), Cabernet Franc (11%), Merlot (11%), Malbec (4%) from extremely low yielding vines that maximise concentration, David and Liam choose to leave out the final pressing from their basket press that results in a medium bodied wine of elegance and finesse. Matured in 100% new French oak hogsheads for 22 months, Alan’s Cabernet will age with grace."

92 Points - Antonio Galloni "The 2016 Petit-Figeac is a gorgeous, silky second wine to drink now and over the next handful of years. Sweet floral notes add freshness and lift to this expressive Saint-Émilion. In 2016, Petit-Figeac has a bit more Franc than usual which also contributes to the wine's perfumed personality. This is impeccably done."

Stuart McCloskey "“The ‘06 Merlot is the most surprising from our retrospective tasting. The nose is rich and plush with blackberry liquor, black cherry compote, sweet spice, tar and warm earth. With more aeration – roasted coffee, tobacco and bitter chocolate. Far from tired and amply fleshed-out with fabulously ripe, sweet fruit (sous-bois) which moves slowly across my palate. The acidity is low and the tannins are melting away. Today, a wine in complete harmony and offering swathes of silkiness. Drink now to 2025. Decant for 1-2 hours (no more) and served in Zalto Bordeaux glassware. Bloody amazing for the money…”

92 Points - James Halliday

Strong colour; medium to full-bodied; generous cassis/plum fruit, supple and smooth. 

Josh Raynolds

Dark red. Textbook merlot notes of minty cherry and chocolate on the nose, with a deeper coffee tone. Fat and almost oily, with bitter-edged cherry and licorice flavors showing a meaty, earthy character. Powerful, chewy and dense, the dark cherry note repeating on the finish. This needs some air.

Only available in cases of six - just £8.30 per bottle

A fruity and expressive wine that has a brilliant ruby red colour. With notes of red fruits such as raspberries and cherries, giving the wine a young style, great structure and complexity. Great aromatic intensity. This is a Merlot with good balance of tannins, acidity, oak and red fruits.

The Estate line brings together wines with a fresh, honest style that respect the varietal expression of their region of origin. Maipo is well-known for its Merlot wines as well as its Cabernet. This wine is a good example of this classic from Maipo.

Winemaker "This Cabernet Merlot packs a punch! Bright and charming, the perfume of Cabernet Sauvignon strikes you first, followed swiftly by its precise and structured palate. With its partner in crime Merlot providing the palate weight, with fruit generosity and richness.  Juicy, medium bodied and full of flavour. Red currants, cherries and blueberries fill the palate complemented by the dusty fine-grained tannin and precise structure. The refreshing acidity balances the supple tannin and red fruits that leaves you wanting more."

98 Points - Bob Campbell

This dense, rich and quite complex red is a top example from a top vintage. Warm, generous wine with ripe berry fruits, spice, tobacco leaf and a hint of chocolate/mocha character. Deliciously accessible now but with the power and density to develop well.

93-95 Points - Jeb Dunnuck (robertparker.com) "Tasted as a barrel sample and Betz’s take on a right bank Bordeaux, the 2012 Clos de Betz is 67% Merlot, 27% Cabernet Sauvignon and the balance Petit Verdot. Inky-purple in color (has anyone seen a Betz wine not inky purple?), if offers impressive cassis, plum liqueur, spring flowers and underbrush-style aromas and flavors to go with a mouth-filling, layered and voluptuous style on the palate. I love the mid-palate here, and the tannin builds through the finish, so, while it should have plenty of up-front appeal, it should also evolve for 15+ years."