Who first said that Merlot should taste soft, fruity and generous? It’s an oft-repeated opinion, usually trotted out apologetically in conjunction with some mass-market, sub-$15 bottle of wine. On this view, Merlot ends up a bit like that mentally challenged second cousin who turns up to all the family functions and who is at least, you know, nice.
I can never quite understand why Shiraz gets placed above Merlot in the Margaret River varietal heirachy – The finest wines deserve equal billing with Cabernet.
Indeed — the better Merlots I’ve tried from Margaret River have been quite exceptional (this one included). I presume it’s a fashion thing as much as anything else.