Black & Ginger The Virginia Merlot 2023

Black & Ginger The Virginia Merlot 2023
$65, 13.4% alcohol, screwcap, Great Western/Grampians.

Organically-grown merlot from the Grampians region, made in tiny quantity (44 dozen only). It’s a wine worthy of contemplation. It’s spicy, it’s ripe-fruited, it’s fresh; it’s many things. It’s also laced with fine-grained tannin, and splashed with black pepper, and run with a smidgen of chocolate-like character, the latter just enough to give the palate a feeling of silk. We’re in medium-weight red wine territory here, in the best of ways. It’s harmonious, a bit minty, and a lot lovely. 94 points.