Kardinia is an indigenous word meaning sunrise. Kardinia wines is located in Bush’s Lane in Murrumbateman and according to the website, is the “place where dawn breaks”.
Winemaker Vikki Fischer certainly makes a dawn-like bright and beaming Merlot – the subject of this week’s “swirl” – the Kardinia Wines Merlot 2019.
The wine is broodingly dark red in the glass with flashes of purple. After a swirl this Merlot immediately impacts with Christmas pudding-like aromas including dark plums, black cherries, hints of all spice, star anise and candied violets.
On the palate, the backbone of cool-climate acidity affords the wine with bright fruit flavours including red cherries and blackcurrants. The tannins are fine, in sync and help the wine to a lovely, lingering aftertaste.
My bottle went exceptionally well with simply grilled lamb chops but would go very well with any beef or lamb dish, especially one with a little shake of spice. This is a great value local drop. I bought mine from the lovely people at the Yass Information Centre, but can also be bought for $18 online
Sixty Second Swirl with Brent Lello, Yass Valley Wine Columnist
“The merlot is a big hit among the men in our family, so I photographed Bernie and our sons Sam and Chris enjoying a glass at the winery. We agree it has big upfront fruit!”
“This merlot was hand-picked at Torandale Vineyard (Nanima Road) and Bernie really did do most of the winemaking for this one – hand-plunging a couple of times a day to get that beautiful colour and tannin, and then monitoring the wild ferment to its finish in small French oak barriques. A jointly crafted piece!” Vikki Fischer – wine maker.
