The Independent Weekly
Phillip White
January 19th – 25th  2008

HUMMER
Clare Valley Merlot
$40
93++ points

"Ben Jeanneret just keeps pullin’ em out of his hat!  Merlot? In Clare? Riesling’s success in such a freaky, warm, dry place is unlikely enough, but merlot? Impossible.  But then Brian Barry did it in the right years at Jud’s Hill.  Now Ben’s done it.  This wine’s full of suave, creamy fruit.  It’s rich, and fleshy.  Its mature tannins are just slightly velvety, and while that edge is part briar, part charcoal, it never intrudes, never seems too leafy, which happens easily with cabernet and merlot.  It’s so comforting, plush, and sensuous that it accommodated a gentle creamy laksa."

14.7% alcohol
glass stopper