Clarendon Hills Hickinbotham Merlot 2001

The wine has immense weight on the palate. Some may say this is a tad too big for a Merlot, and if you are looking for a light, fluffy soft Merlot then by-pass this elegant monster. There is a great chewy texture across the palate indicating low yielding fruit. The flavors extend for a very long time at the back of the palate, and as they start to wilt the tannin clicks in with chalky, powdery mouth-puckering characters that begs you to put the wine down for several more years. I would estimate that the wine needs at least another 10 years before reaching its peak, perhaps even 15 years.

Do try a bottle now and you'll no doubt agree to cellar the wine. If you are sampling a bottle in the near future grab a runny, gooey fully ripe brie style cheese and use the creamy unctuous texture to soften up the tannin structure.