2021 Merlot Reserve trocken, Burgenland, Austria

Quite firm, somewhat warm aroma of ripe black berries and plums with a little dried tomato in the background, hints of tobacco and slightly smoky wood nuances. Ripe, juicy, again somewhat warm fruit, youthful, yet quite friable tannin, smoky and slightly tobacco tones, tart nutty flavours, has power and melting, but remains pleasingly tart, a little red pepper and almost chilli in the background, toasty and chocolaty hints, restrained power, very good, quite juicy and again tangy finish. Not eternally deep, but very skilfully vinified.

Best to drink: Bis 2030+. What our ratings mean