Tobin Wines · Elliot Merlot 2023
Granite Belt Merlot. Solid. Restrained, red-fruited, lighter than the 2022.
Nose: Plum, cooked cherry, vanilla, a touch of sweet oak.
Palate: Closed on the palate to start, opening up over time. Red fruit notes of boysenberry and raspberry with a finish of light oak.
Verdict
The 2023 is lighter than the 2022 with less going on behind it, though the restrained French style is unchanged. This is a good contrast of how wines vary across vintages. The acidity is firm enough to hold a few years and it should pick up tertiary flavours on the way. I opened one on a Friday night with the family and it drank fine young, which is worth knowing if you are choosing between cellaring it and opening it. Always worth the visit to Tobin Wines.
Drink · Cellar 2–5 yr