2016 Geoff Merrill Bush Vine GSM (Shiraz Grenache Mourvedre)

A legend, that is the only correct word for the striking winemaker Geoff Merrill. The vineyards can be found not far from Adelaide in McLaren Vale where a ridge and a cool sea breeze provide some relief. Geoff has special ideas of his own: he does not make his wines for the short term, but for the long term. He also does not shy away from aging in wood, as long as the wines can bear it. Also very remarkable is that Geoff lets his wines first drink before they appear on the market. For example, the reserve wines are only available 6 years after the harvest and the estate wines 3 years after the harvest. This is partly possible due to the presence of fine acids that give the wine a rich fruit structure and enhance the complexity. The Reserve Shiraz has received the Jimmy Watson Memorial Trophy, Australia's highest honor for a Shiraz.

The Geoff Merrill Bush Vine GSM is a typical Australian "SGM blend" with a peppery aroma. As the name implies, it is a blend of Shiraz Grenache & Mourvedre. In the nose scents of blackberries, slightly licorice and pepper. In the mouth a firm structure, round tannins and a long finish with spicy aromas.

Wine Reviews:

95 points – Sam Kim (Wine Orbit)

“ It's immediately appealing on the nose showing sweet berry, vanilla, smoked game, cedar and toasted spice aromas. The palate delivers excellent weight and roundness together with fleshy texture and silky tannins, finishing impressively long and expansive. Delectably appealing with sexy complexity. At its best: now to 2030.   5 stars ”

92 points - Andrew Graham (Oz Wine Review)

“I always like how Geoff Merrill's wines lob with a bit of bottle age. Aged and built to age. Here, it's a riff on a McLaren Vale GSM blend. The Shiraz dominance works too – chocolatey rich purple fruit, with Grenache adding the red fruit highlights. It's medium to full bodied, chunky, and ultimately fruit drenched. Old school heartiness rather than modern swish and polish, with surprising life for its age. Entirely solid wine. Best drinking: good now and for another decade if you want. But I'd drink in the next five.”

92 points - Ned Goodwin (Halliday Australian Wine Companion)

“52/42/6% shiraz/grenache/mourvedre. This is drinking very well. Attractive Rhône-inspired aromas: sandalwood, smoked game and a porcini/bracken/bouillon note, earthy and shrouded in umami. Herbal tannins, gently ferrous, ply a straight path across the palate while mollifying shiraz's sweet tendencies, billowing in the background. But in all, solid value and very good drinking.”