Tatachilla Merlot

NobleRottersSydney - Montana (NZ) + agency wines (Lucio's, Paddington) : Red-black as we cross the Tasman. Clearly I have issues with merlot. This has a tarry, jammy, burnt oak nose. Hot plummy fruit follows through on the palate, which has a soft tannic finish, rather than hard astringency. It does become somewhat hot as time passes (I didn’t check the alcohol, but I’d be surprised if it was below 14%), and the fruit seems to possess a strongly macerated quality …