Irvine

News - Merlot Musings

16 January 2005

Wein Gourmet places Grand Merlot among the best

IRVINE GRAND MERLOT 1997 has been placed in sixth position of the World's Best Merlots by the international magazine Wein Gourmet, December/January issue. This competition took place in Germany and was limited to Merlots that are truly Merlots rather than those that are blended with Cabernet and/or Cabernet Franc, most of which of course come from Bordeaux.

This award illustrates once again that Eden Valley in South Australia can quite easily produce wines of world-class, and as such continues the long line of Grand Merlot awards of past years. For those that are interested, the clone used was D3V14, a clone that has been much talked about in recent times as being less than favourable. How can this be when Irvine Grand Merlot has now won at least sixteen global awards, including twice being nominated as the World's Best Merlot.

As such then the Eden Valley must be able to do something to this clone to give the excellence of style that is so readily recognised in these global competitions, or is it in turn that other places cannot bring out the best in the clone, or possibly even that other winemakers do not understand quite how to handle what they have?

Wein Gourmet magazine is an international magazine highly regarded not only in Germany but throughout Europe for its fine understanding of Grand wines and Great dishes. They gather together a range of judges such as journalists, sommeliers, restaurateurs, and winemakers, so ensuring a wide variety of approaches.

Out of interest other Australian wines listed were Tatachilla Clarendon Merlot at No. 9, and No. 20 the Margaret River Merlot of Xanadu. Because of the age of the vineyards these two I believe to be made from the same clone as Irvine Grand Merlot.

Overall, Australia has taken 3 in the top 25 Merlot wines in the world and has therefore acquitted itself at a very high level in deluxe Merlot winemaking.

WEIN GOURMET 2004 DECEMBER/JANUARY (Translation)

1997 Eden Valley Grand Merlot
James Irvine, Eden Valley (South Australia)

Everybody who is looking for a mature wine to indulge in should jump at this one: This vintage 1997 spent its first 3 years in barrel and perfectly refined in the bottle since then. Overwhelming nose (aroma, scent): truffle, mint, rumpot, chocolate. Juicy, fleshy impression on the palate, fragile (crumbling) very fine tannin, lively acid, beautifully matured with plenty of further reserves. Should be decanted, has a lot of deposit!

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