Mérite Wines

While almost all Australian Merlot in the bottle is from one clone, this wine, our flagship wine, is a multi-clone blend made from French clones that are new to Australia, on a site that produces fruit a grade or two above what is normally expected of Australian Merlot. These ‘new’ clones grow better and so may be harvested earlier providing a new set of flavour profiles and wine styles for Australian Merlot. This wine aims to be a new benchmark Australian Merlot.

Our parcel at MÉRITE was established in 2006 with a deliberate goal: let’s produce much better Merlot. The 'new' clones were planted on a pristine unplanted site - the French clones were not grafted onto another previously planted vine’s roots which readily influence the upper vine. Each clone was planted in a Phlloxera-free zone on own-roots and low vigour rootstocks and on two different soil profiles so that a winemaker may select from a ‘menu of Merlot’ at harvest time.

Some clones are directly from France while others journeyed via Italy and Argentina. The parcel is managed with sensitivity to the clones, the varying soils profiles and where they had previously thrived in order to bring out the best in each mini-parcel.

Soil profiles comprise Terra Rossa over Limestone, at varying depths, and a plate of clay around 1 metre deep.

Reviews of 2015 MÉRITE Merlot

Read Jane Anson's article discussing our work with French clones of Merlot that are new to Australia in Decanter magazine here

Another Special Value wine! Read James Halliday's 96 point review - Drink by 2035 here

"Bright, juicy, fruit-filled and savoury at once. It’s all laced together with ultra-fine tannin too. We are in pretty classy terrain here. Shaved pencils, black cherries, boysenberries, redcurrant. None of the dreaded mulberry. Flings of earth. It s super succulent and beautifully balanced. It almost feels like it s been painted in watercolours too, almost always a good sign, though there s just a bit more oomph than those words commonly imply. That said, it s a steadfastly medium-bodied wine, with no pretensions for anything more. Just look at the tannin structure of this wine. 94 points" Campbell Mattinson www.winefront.com.au

"Densely scented bouquet with aromas of sweet plum and new oak, violet and clove, wild red berries and liquorice root; as it opens up in the glass the concentration and complexity builds whilst holding onto its very youthful quiver. On the palate – an obvious yet not overdone ripeness and concentration with flavours that reflect the nose centering on plums, some blue fruits and floral moments. The oak is obvious with its youthful attack, but will integrate over time; medium+ (ish) tannins and acidity, well made and drinking well now. Best from 2019 through 2030+. 94 Points" - Cameron Douglas, Master Sommelier www.camdouglasms.com

"I recently tasted the excellent 2015 Mérite Merlot from Wrattonbully" January 2019 Tim Atkin AW

"It's a finer, tighter and more composed wine than most. It allows its internal architecture to be seen and felt without the layering or pillowy padding that can turn many merlots flabby. It offers up aromas of plum skin, violets, snapped twigs and roast tomatoes that draw you into a beautifully shaped, elegantly framed wine with a willowy draping of uber-fine tannins. If this is where Australian merlot is going, then I’m very happy to follow." writes Nick Ryan in The Australian here

“The wines they’re producing with these new clones are at the forefront of a revival of top-quality Merlot in Australia.” Max Allen in the Australian Financial Review here

REVIEWS OF 2018 MERITE MERLOT

"Matured in French oak. This is polished and plush with sweet,berried fruit rolling attractively through the palate, complemented by cedar, violet, bay leaf and graphite characters. It feels complex on its own, easy going way, for the most part, though as it breathes the intricacy of the tannin is revealed, for the positive. a creaminess to the texture ramps up the pleasure that little bit more." 94 points Tasted Aug 2023 Campbell Mattinson Wine Companion

"This wine was served blind last night, against Pomerol and St Emilion - and totally smashed it! A brilliant bottle from MERITE" Jane Anson – Read here

Clones of Merlot bring complexity to this concentrated, flavour-laden red, in which depth and intensity abound." Peter Bourne read more here

REVIEWS OF 2020 MERITE MERLOT

"This is a wine that stand tall amongst many blends and single varieties. a testament to the love of merlot over the years." 93 points Shanteh Wale Wine Companion

REVIEWS OF 2024 MERITE MERLOT

" With a clear ambition to craft Australia’s finest Merlots, MERITE’s 2024 release signals both intent and precision, stepping away from plush stereotypes toward structure and detail. Aromatically composed, it opens with red plum, black cherry and mulberry, lifted by violet and dried rose. Savoury layers of tobacco leaf, olive and fine herbs also emerge. The palate sits in a medium to medium-full frame, defined by shape over weight. Plum, blackcurrant and sour cherry freshness drive the core, while fine, graphite-like tannins and bright acidity bring clarity and length. A savoury thread of bay leaf, sage and light earthiness adds complexity. The finish is long, dry and poised, tapering through spice, dried herbs and a subtle mineral edge." 96/100 Vinomasters.

A classic cellar-worthy Cabernet Sauvignon grown on Terra Rossa over Limestone soils with the advantage of Australia's best "new clone" Merlot blended in. This wine is a window into a new chapter for Australian Cabernet Sauvignon.

REVIEWS OF 2024 MÉRITE CABERNET SAUVIGNON

”This is evocative – a bush walk through the ancient land of Wrattonbully – with blackcurrant, native thorny shrub and red clay leading the charge. Gumnut, torn bark, blackberries, dried herbs and granitic earth. A wondrous wine that speaks to its deep earth and maritime climate, with oak support dialled in.” 95 points - Halliday Wine Companion

Now Australia has better clones of Merlot. This is made from just one of them: Q45

What does this "new clone" Merlot taste like?

It's a bold wine with intense fruit flavours, brightness and superfine tannins.

Reviews of the 2020 Q Merlot

"This is a Merlot worth hunting down. The flavours shoot through the wine in convincing style, bringing nuance but also out-and-out fruit flavour, of both the red and black berried kind. Its neat, firm, polished and generally well finished, with just enough grain to keep it feeling real." 94 points Campbell Mattinson Wine Companion.

Almost fifteen years ago, vignerons Colleen and Mike spent four months in Argentina to taste and learn everything they could about growing and making Argentine Malbec. Later, when Argentine clones of Malbec became available in Australia they seized the opportunity to plant an experimental parcel of four clones on their site in 2008 - seeing synergies between their cool climate site and some of the high altitude estates around Mendoza.

Argentine clones can produce smaller berries, creating wine that is more intense in colour and flavours. On our site, our soils and climate coax these newer clones to create Malbec that is inky, with intense fruitiness and aromatic qualities, and the excellent natural acidity and fine tannins.

We're really excited to be able to share an inky, vibrant, delicious Australian cool climate expression of Argentine Malbec with you.

Featured in “How has Australian Shiraz evolved?” with Alistair Cooper MW on Jancis Robinson here

REVIEWS OF 2022 MERITE SHIRAZ MALBEC $30

95 points Halliday Wine Companion

REVIEWS OF 2024 MERITE MALBEC $45

"Another wine from MERITE that is really leaning into wild spice. Here you'll find satsuma plums and Christmas pudding, chocolate-coated coffee beans and amaro bitters. The fruit stands up to the rich spice with intensity and purpose. Oak tannins and a twitch of warmth on the finish. This is for the bold malbec lovers." Shanteh Wale - 91 points - Wine Companion

AVAILABLE HERE