Monday 10 August 2015

Grey Sands Tamar Valley 2008 Merlot



SEVEN YEARS CELLARING REWARDS WELL

NO irrigation in the vineyard,
seven years in the cellar
– here's a Merlot that's all about
flavour, flavour and more flavour. 
David Ellis

BOUTIQUE Grey Sands Vineyard tucked away in Glengarry overlooking the Tamar Valley just north-west of Launceston, have just released their 2008 Merlot, and while  the results of its long seven years in the cellar must be enormously rewarding for owners Bob and Rita Richter, we're ready to say they're even more-so for buyers.

The Richter's have a philosophy of not irrigating their Grey Sands vineyard, preferring to sacrifice higher yields in favour of maximum flavour concentration in the resultant fruit. And it's certainly paid off in this case, with a drop that's got wonderfully concentrated dark fruit flavours (think mulberries and plums to the fore,) cocoa, spicy oak and nicely balanced tannins.

And it's equally rewarding for those who love to savour aromas out of the glass, all that fruitiness simply erupting from this one – almost like putting your nose into a rich plum pudding.

With those already seven years in the cellar, this 2008 Merlot still has plenty more years of life to come, but if you want to get into it now, enjoy with your favourite red meats – as we did, with a Winter-time's steak and kidney pie.

If you're planning a driving holiday in Tasmania, Grey Sands Vineyard is a half-hour north-west of Launceston with the Cellar Door, gardens and vineyard open from midday to 5pm the last weekend of every month from October to April (inclusive.) To order their 2008 Merlot ($40 cellar door plus freight) email info@greysands.com.au

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