Carlei Estate Coonawarra Merlot

Carlei's Coonawarra Merlot delivers a rich, full-bodied experience with lush fruit flavours and a warm, velvety mouthfeel. Expect ripe plum, black cherry, and dark berry notes at the forefront, layered with hints of chocolate, spice, and a touch of earthy complexity that’s signature to Coonawarra’s famous terra rossa soils.

The elevated alcohol enhances the wine’s richness and amplifies the sense of warmth on the palate, giving it a smooth, round texture. Notes of vanilla, mocha, and tobacco, balance the plush fruit with a hint of savoury depth. Though bold, the wine maintains a refined edge, with soft tannins and moderate acidity, delivering a long, generous finish full of ripe fruit and spice.

"This wine spent 16 months in 100% new French oak. The inaugural release of this wine and the first foray into Coonawarra for the Carlei family. Mid-weight with Red Delicious apple skin, ripe plum and fruit leather. Decidedly red-fruited and hiding an incredible 15.4% abv fairly well. Pretty and grounding Aussie bush elements – paperbark and eucalypt – generate feelings of home. Drying tannins coat the mouth, casting a net over the aniseed and dried fig finish. Flavour and structure seem to sit alongside each other and are not fully magnetised, but another 12 months in bottle will do a world of good. For now, enjoy its rusticity; it welcomes a considered decant and hearty fare." 93/100pts Halliday Wine Companion