Michel Torino (Argentina) Merlot ‘Coleccion’ 2000
From the northerly region of the Cafayate Valley comes this merlot, from Michel Torino. Having spent six months in new French oak casks, this wine does not hide its fruit behind woody aromas. Though there is a delicious hint of vanilla and coffee, the nose brims with juicy blackberry fruit that is ripe and glossy, with plenty of depth and wonderful sense of damson jam richness. On the palate it is cool and fruity, with surprisingly crisp tannins and a nicely bittersweet, lean edge of acidity and dark, cherryish fruit. Dry and quite savoury, this has a chocolaty edge to the tannins, and finishes with good length and some style. It is definitely a wine for matching against robust foods. Safeway, 5.99
