2002 Marquis Philips Merlot South Eastern Australia

The 2002 Merlot, which was aged in used French and American oak (40% of the former and 60% of the latter), exhibits a dark plum/ruby color, a big, fleshy texture, and a sweet nose of roasted coffee, mocha, thyme, and cola-infused black cherry/plum-like fruit. It is a plush, corpulent Merlot to drink over the next 3-4 years. Two of South Australia’s leading viticulturists/winemakers are undoubtedly husband and wife Sarah and Sparky Marquis. Their goals are common sense ones of “creating fruit weight, velvety sensations, and harvesting on ripeness, not sugar readings.” Perhaps their finest accomplishment has been to prove that high quality wines can be produced at a price point that thrills most wine consumers. P.S. Perhaps another way to think of these wines is that they are XXX-rated stuff. They’re not exactly wines for those wanting finesse, lightness, restraint, or intellectual challenge. These are totally decadent homages to joy and yumminess. Or, as a friend of mine said, they are “fragrantly delicious.” Importer: Dan Philips, The Grateful Palate, Oxnard, CA; tel. (888) 472-5283