Brown Brothers (Australia) Limited Release Merlot 2002
Booths supermarket chain (and online at booths-wine.co.uk) has teamed up with Brown Brothers to acquire this parcel of mature, premium Merlot, from the 2002 vintage. Aged 15 months in French barriques, the additional couple of years in bottle has softened the wine which has a very opulent nose, laden with sweet vanilla, pencil-shavings and coffee oak. There are aromas of deep, plummy, stewed prune fruit and spice. On the palate that huge hit of oak and ripe fruit sweetness floods across the tongue, with coffee and plum flavours and a supple but background tannic presence. The balance on this wine is good, and whilst I wouldn’t recommend extended cellaring, it is also very composed and will drink well for quite some time yet. This seems to be a bit of a bargain. 11.99, on offer at 5.99 until May 27th, Booths
