WTN: Petaluma Coonawarra Merlot 1996

Recently, I bought a nice stash of these at a ridiculously good (low) price; every bottle opened thus far, a little different, but all in all, a successful result for this sometimes excellent producer. This wine is in the groove with this bottle promising quite a few years of good drinking to look forward to, although I wouldn't hold my breath if provenance was in doubt. The colour is decidely brickish through the greater part of the edge although the overall core impression is of a pleasing medium ruby. The nose exerts a lovely amalgam of some quality smoky/savoury/biscuity oak underneath a cornacopia of red and black fruit, traces of iron, dry earth and minerals with a hint of iodine. With extended breathing there's also some cigar box, licorice and some regional spear/peppermint that is precocious but quite sensual. This just keeps on getting better the longer I leave it. The palate, similarly, is of very high quality, offering very smooth mouthfeel from start to finish with resolving acid and still mildly assertive tannins blending seamlessly with mainly very elegant, but ripe, plum and blackcurrant fruit with some more of that classy new French oak character (read mostly savoury/biscuity). The finish is long and expansive with a lovely flavour lingering well after the wine has disappeared down the gullet. Top marks from me on tonight's performance. 92.13.3% A/V and sealed with the cork tree bark monstrosity.