Feb 2019 – Matured for 12 months in French oak, 10% new, the 2016 Dornier Merlot has some weight to it at 14.5% alcohol but is nicely balanced. On opening the nose offers a savory top with a hint of oak spice and a light herbal note that leads into darker fruit tones of juicy plums and currants aromatically. Medium fuller bodied, this has a round, smooth texture that gains flesh and becomes plush with aeration, with a core of sweet, dark red fruit flavors dark cherries and plums, wrapped inside well structured, supple, lithe tannins. Just now starting to open up this should show well over the next 3 plus years.