Jacob's Creek Merlot (75cl, 13.9%)

Jacob's Creek Merlot is a fruit-driven red wine from South Eastern Australia, produced by Jacob's Creek, now owned by Pernod Ricard. The brand traces its origins to 1847, when Johann Gramp planted his first vineyard along Jacob's Creek in the Barossa Valley. The Merlot grapes are crushed and fermented in open vats before maturing in oak barrels, and the wine is sealed under screwcap. The nose offers ripe raspberry and blackberry, moving into violet and eucalyptus, with subtle pepper spice and a whisper of mocha oak. The palate is soft and fruit-forward, led by dark cherry and fresh mulberry, with vanilla, sweet dark berry notes and gentle mocha oak. Chalky tannins provide structure, and the finish is medium in length with silky tannins and lingering tobacco leaf and baking spice.