Happs Wines Merlot

Happs Wines Merlot

Background:

There are very few good Merlots in Australia, but some expensive pretenders. In Bordeaux, Merlots from Pomerol are currently valued by the market above all other dry red wines. In the case of Petrus, Merlot almost stands alone, a 4% addition of Cabernet Franc the only addition. The conventional wisdom in Australia is that Merlot is a useful variety to be used in small proportion to soften Cabernet. It may well be, that Merlot, like Pinot Noir, does not yield its best expression in very warm climates. It is the marriage of vineyard and variety that is important.

The advantage of Merlot, when it likes its home, is a certain sweet palatability that Cabernet Sauvignon, by its very structure, is denied. Whereas Cabernet shows a rather astringent backbone, a certain unidimensional stiffness in its constitution, Merlot, in its best examples, will show roundness on the palate, sweetness, and a glorious length of taste sensation that is difficult to match. Its tannin  tructure equals Cabernet but the mid- palate is more generous. Cabernet shows a more singular identity than Merlot in its aromatics as does Cabernet Franc and Malbec.

Happs Merlot is our best recognised and most sought after red wine. We have been making it since 1984 and it has been very successful in wine