From the leading Mudgee light that is Huntington Estate.

Huntington Estate, Special Reserve, Merlot, Mudgee, 2016

A deep garnet in the glass with generous aromas: Plump blackberries and plums with spices aplenty: fennel frond, tobacco, clove and rich tomato sugo. The herbal lift provides interest for the now as the intricately weaved tannins envelope the red/black fruit and portent some age-worthiness as it leaves a long tail behind. This is not an insipid vanilla drenched thing, but someone making merlot a serious wine in its own right.

RRP: $38
Alc: 14.3%
Rating: 17.75/20

Wine sample courtesy of Huntington Estate and Define Wine