Smith and Hooper Merlot 2006 from Australia (From The Northern Echo)

Smith and Hooper Merlot 2006 from Australia

6:13pm Friday 17th October 2008 in

• Skip social links
• Print
• Email
• Comments(0)

There are some unusual names in South Australia but it in no way detracts from the quality of the wine.

Such a one is Wrattonbully on the Limestone Coast. This wine has a red berry fruit aroma with chocolate cedar notes from French oak maturation.

The palate is rich and full of velvety texture which is more evident at a temperature of 70ºF or a touch more.

It’s a well-balanced wine with spice and tannin blending well with the fruit. At 13 per cent alcohol this wine needs roast lamb or beef. It’s merlot grape also goes well with mild cheeses.

Morrisons sell this one for £8.79.

By the way if you can keep it for three years it will be even better.

A favourite sauvignon blanc of mine that Morrisons sell is their Seigfried from Nelson, New Zealand. This is a delicious and fresh wine with herbaceous aromas. On the palate there are lively passion fruit flavours. It’s 12½ per cent alcohol and lovely to drink on its own or with most sea-food dishes. It’s on the shelf at £6.20.