Yonder Hill Merlot2001

Yonder Hill Merlot (Stellenbosch) 2001: A glossy, red-black wine, fading to a red rim - there's no sign of age here. Initially on the nose it offers aromas typical for the cépage - plums and chocolate - backed up by some spicy oak. With extended exposure to air, however, this develops real class - dense, smoky black fruit mixed with rich, crumbly sugary fruitcake. Throughout it displays fine, ripe tannins, underpinning an opulent texture and a wealth of spicy black fruits. Finely balanced acidity. This is tremendous stuff - provided you decant for a decent length of time. Pomerol for a tenner, anybody? Very good, excellent potential. (28/11/03)