Grant Burge Hillcot Barossa Merlot 2012
This has always been a quiet star of the Grant Burge range (Grant has grown Merlot in the Barossa for 30+ years, so maybe not that quiet), and I think in this vintage it outmarks its Shiraz equivalent. the Miamba Shiraz.
Historically drawn from the Hillcot vineyard, but I’m not sure this is a single vineyard wine anymore. Still, this mid red coloured red sits with very solid, thick red plum flavours, milk chocolate oak and a grippy, drying, tart finish.
Every way the thick cut, meat-and-three-veg Barossa Merlot, this will satisfy many. It’s laden with oak and oak tannins, and anything but subtle, yet the ideologically old school style has charm and depth – especially for the sub $20 price it can be picked up for.
Details: 14%, Screwcap, $24.75
Tasted: April 2015 (sample)
Best drinking: 2015-2022
Score: 17.7/20, 92/100
Would I buy it? Not quite, but I know many who would.
Buy online: Dan Murphys, Wine Online, Grant Burge website
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2 Comments
The wine that got me onto red wine! Always have a soft spot for this wine because of that but my palate has moved well and truly on from this. Surprised to see such a high score for this one. Must have been a good release.
I've always liked Hillcot too. I had this '12 in a bracket of mid weight reds and the complete richness and palate weight of this was hard to ignore. Old school but good