Charles Smith ‘The Velvet Devil’ Washington State Merlot 2015

FEATURED WINES IN THIS REVIEW

• Charles Smith ‘The Velvet Devil’ Washington State Merlot 2015
  Merlot from USA

  Review Date : 20-May-2018

  ☆☆☆☆☆

  Full, dark, deep ruby-red colour, a little lighter on the edge with slight garnet hues. The bouquet is full, open and broad with accessible aromas of savoury dark-red plum fruit along with berry fruits, a soft, earthy layering and nuances of dried herbs. This has a deep core with red fruits, notes of game and lifted red floral suggestions. Medium-full bodied, the palate is softly rich, and gently sweet and succulent with flavours of savoury, earthy dark-red plums and berried fruits, nuances of dried herbs and a little floral lift. The fruit forms a rounded core and is supported by light, fine tannin extraction. The wine flows along a fine-textured, near-velvety line, with soft acidity, leading to a sweet finish with red fruits and earthy elements. This is a soft, open and accessible Merlot with flavours of savoury, earthy plums forming a good, smooth-flowing core. Match with slow-cooked game meat and casseroles over the next 4+ years. A blend of 84% Merlot, 9% Cabernet Sauvignon, 3% Malbec, 2% Cabernet Franc and 2% Other varieties, from Washington State, fermented partially by indigenous yeasts to 13.5% alc., the wine aged 10 months in 30% new French oak. 17.5+/20 May 2018 RRP $21.99