Hester Creek Estate Winery Block 2 Reserve Merlot 2015

Jennifer Havers rated this wine as 90/100 with the following review:

A lovely and luscious Merlot. Aromas of dark cherry, plum, dried sage and black tea, with a hint of mocha and coffee. Full bodied and smooth on the palate, with balanced acidity, plush berry and ripe fruit, with a hint of mocha and spice. Tannins are young but smooth out with a bit of decanting. Enjoy with roasted duck with five spice.

Deborah Podurgiel WSET IV Candidate rated this wine as 90/100 with the following review:

Established in 1968, many of Hester Creek Estate’s Vineyards are now a half a century old. The Block 2 Merlot vines for this Merlot were planted in the early 1970s and represent some of the oldest vines on the estate. Merlot grapes for the Block 2 Reserve are carefully cropped to concentrate and maximize the intense aromatics and flavours on this Golden Mile Bench dark ruby red 100% Merlot. This vintage was aged in 75% French and 25% American oak barrel for 16 months. The nose is pronounced with dark plum, espresso coffee and bacon notes. On the palate, this full-bodied Merlot is much smoother than what I remember from previous vintages with ripe plum, dark cherry compote flavours on the mid-palate finishing with light savoury dried herbs and a lingering dark cherry, mocha. vanilla kiss. Well-balanced acidity to fruit flavours and tannins are still grippy but fine. Drinking beautiful now, this wine could cellar for another three years. Pair with pork tenderloin in a wild mushroom, red wine sauce.