Today I am tasting the 2008 Gumdale Merlot by Wakely Vintners in Australia. I found this for under $7 and the only complaint I have about the packaging is a desire for a screw cap. I previously found the 2007 Gumdale Merlot to be a good value.
Color
This wine is ruby red in the glass. A little too thin.
Aroma
The wine shows good black pepper on the nose combined with other herbs and vegetables. I detect red currants as well. This wine is pretty strong aromatically overall with a hint of oak.
Flavor
I get quite a bit of oak right off the bat along with some good blackberries. The mid-palate has cherry and the finish has some coffee and spice. This wine is young and a bit hot. It is labeled as 13.5% alcohol. I’d like to see the fruit more in balance with the alcohol so that it would finish smoother. Nice tannic structure on the finish. This would make a good pizza wine.
Rating
Unless you are a true Merlot fan, then I would not recommend this wine. I think the Gumdale Shiraz and Cabernet Sauvignon (and blends) are superior. I rate this 85 points.
