2018 Thermenregion Merlot Reserve trocken, Lower Austria/Niederösterreich, Austria

Firm, somewhat cedary and fleshy-animalic, also slightly peppery scent of ripe blackcurrants with coffee-roasted wood aromas, green pepper, black olives and a little mint. Ripe, quite densely woven black fruit with lots of toasty and bitter-chocolatey wood, present, ripe tannins, minty hints and a little roasted nuts, has power, warmth and sweet melting, peppery notes, also salt, at the end the lots of wood is a little bitter again.

Best to drink: Mitte 2023 bis 2028+. What our ratings mean