Geoff Merrill Jacko's Shiraz 2018 12 Pack

94 POINTS

Ray Jordan - Winepilot

Jacko was, in fact, Michael James, who worked for many years in Merrill’s cellar. He was a bit of a character, and this is a wine that’s full of character. It was a very good season, and this is a generous, full-bodied Shiraz with some lovely dense, chocolatey plummy notes and just a lift of peppery fruit for balance. Tannins have a slightly chalky, grainy feel to them. The oak is well-managed and not insignificant, but the fruit dominates and powers through to the finish. Terrific wine for drinking over the medium term.

94 POINTS

Ken Gargett - Winepilot

This wine is a tribute to a young cellar hand who worked with the team before sadly passing far too young. From the excellent 2018 vintage, the wine spends the best part of two and a half years in a mix of new and older French and American oak hogsheads and puncheons. Deep maroon with a garnet rim, there are gorgeous aromas here. Fully mature but with time ahead of it, the nose gives us notes of aniseed, blackberries, coffee beans, root vegetables, chocolate and cassis. There is a sleek texture, impressive length, a seamless structure and excellent balance, all through to satiny tannins. The intensity is maintained throughout. Enjoy it now or anytime over the next decade. Seriously good value.

93 POINTS

Sam Kim - Wine Orbit

Richly fruited and fragrant, the bouquet showcases blackberry, vanilla, smoked meat, potpourri, and roasted hazelnut characters. It's equally satisfying in the mouth with succulent fruit intensity and fleshy texture, leading to a long, delectable finish.