Phillips Brook Estate Cabernet Merlot 2004 (Recommended)

We were very impressed with the 2004 riesling from this Great Southern winery and this cab merlot demonstrates a capacity to make decent reds as well. Beautiful nose, almost pretty, with fragrant, lifted berries, ripena and a touch of elegant leaf. Palate is less overt, remains elegance but lesser doses of varietal fruit than what the nose suggested. Soft early but firms up somewhat in the middle palate with a faint touch of astringency and some acid. Drinks quite well now but could do with a year’s rest. Nose drives the reco but still a very decent wine. Softened in the glass considerably after an hour….not quite sure I’d keep cellared longer than 2007-8?