Raidis Mama Goat Merlot 2010

Raidis Mama Goat Merlot 2010 (Coonawarra, SA)
14%, Screwcap, $25
Source: Sample
www.raidis.com.au

There isn’t enough focus on Merlot in Coonawarra. There should be. Better clones, tighter canopy management, more focus. Pity no-one wants to pay for premium Merlot (and it isn’t as reliable as Cabernet or Shiraz) so very few producers are pushing the variety. Still, I hold out hope..

This is a pretty attractive rendition of the grape actually. A genuine Merlot from the ever genuine Steven Raidis (who I’m incidentally visiting in Coonawarra next week. I’ll question him about why Merlot isn’t more popular and report back). It spends 18 months in barrel, though never looks oaky, instead spicy and lightly volatile, with blood plum aromatics and a fleck of mint. Much the same on the palate, which is open and generous, if a little warm, with wonderful Coonawarra red dirt and cedar plus even, medium weight dry tannins.

Why aren’t there more tasty, just-minty-enough-to-be-interesting Coonawarra Merlots like this? Thumbs up here. More thumbs up expected with further bottle.

Drink: 2013-2020+
Score: 17.5/20 91/100+
Would I buy it? A glass or so would hit the spot. Probably not a bottle buy as yet.