Not part of the in-crowd since 2005!

Geoff Merrill Jacko’s Blend McLaren Vale Shiraz ($23.50)

This wine is a bit of a mystery – there’s no mention of a “Jacko’s Blend” on the Geoff Merrill website, but there is a regular 2003 McLaren Vale Shiraz that could certainly fit the profile of the wine described as the Jacko’s Blend at a shiraz tasting last week. None the less, very easy-to-like McLaren Vale Shiraz – powerful nose built around the rich scent of plums, lead pencils, even hinting at tar. The wine is thick, rich and almost syruppy in texture and there’s a pronounced violet accent a top of the ripe christmas cake and plum flavours. Great tannin profile. Even better balance. The finish is long and persistent. A big wine, yes, but a beauty and I think a couple years in a cool, dark place would turn it into a ripper. Anyone else got any info on the wine? www.geoffmerrillwines.com