Fermoy Estate 2008 Margaret River Merlot

Call it impatience if you like, but after sampling the Cab Merlot last night and having consulted my (admittedly brief) tasting notes from the Western odyssey it should come as no surprise to learn that I was following up with a sample from the case of 2008 Merlot that comprised one-quarter of the shipment.

My note from the Friday morning visit to Fermoy read:
(4.5* $30) Medium-bodied fragrant complex style that's very much the way Merlot should be but often isn't.

Under those circumstances you'd be looking to verify first impressions, wouldn't you?

When I made the order the game plan involved disposing of half of the Cab Merlot, Sauvignon Blanc and SSB through the Merry Frockster, but as things turned out he only made off with a dozen, with the possibility of returning for half a dozen of the Sauvignon Blanc.

I'm hoping that the Merlot's slightly out of his price range.

Fermoy Estate 2008 Margaret River Merlot (4.5* $30 Sale $15) There's a dash of Shiraz in there as well but at 95% varietal Merlot this bright fragrant medium bodied style works a treat with complexity that runs from the nose right across the palate. Varietal plums and berries in gentle abundance, a nice balance of oak and tannin that delivers a lengthy finish and pleasurable drinking.