2017 2017 Pedestal

Beautiful cassis, chocolate, leafy herbs, and earth all emerge from the 2017 Pedestal, a ripe, sexy, opulent wine that does everything right. A blend put together by Michel Rolland and aged 22 months in 86% new French oak, it's beautiful today yet is going to cruise in cool cellars for 15 years or more.

The 2017 Pedestal Merlot has a dense nose with a heavyweight expression and inky character in the glass. Offering blackberry jus, spiced plum preserves and dark cherry skin, the scents are lifted and compounded by rich, elegant oak spices, cigar box and juicy tobacco. Full-bodied, the wine is generously ripe and juicy with tones of graphite and a balanced structure, ending with a long, complex finish. The expression continues to evolve in the mouth after the wine has left the palate, showing elevated alcohol with dark blackberry tones, bitter dark chocolate and pencil shavings. Give it some time in the bottle before opening, or decant for an hour.

A wine made in conjunction with Michel Rolland who is a Pomerol vintner and consultant to some of the world’s best wineries. Coming from a blend of 82% Merlot, 15% Cabernet Sauvignon and 3% Petit Verdot, this gorgeous Merlot-dominated blend spends 22 months in French oak barrels, with 86% being new. A nose dominated by blackberry pie, earthy tobacco, burnt caramel and fresh leather tones combine with aromas of blue and black plums, dried violet flowers, caramelized orange and toasted cinnamon powder. The palate is lengthy and complex with layers of blue plums, red and black raspberry, cigar ash, tangerine zest and cedar. Acidity is medium plus and the chalky tannins are firm and will benefit from a few years in the bottle. Highly recommended.

A bittersweet chocolate aroma is at the fore, followed by notes of herbs, plum, cherry and carob. Rich, intense, plentiful fruit flavors follow. There's a lot of textural richness, upping the appeal. Give it some additional bottle age to see it at its best. Enjoy after 2024. Cellar Selection

The 2017 Long Shadows Pedestal Merlot is a scintillating release that is already beautifully evolved once in the glass. Made my famed oenologist Michel Rolland, they have blended 82% Merlot with 15% Cabernet Sauvignon and 3% Petit Verdot. Rich dark fruit aromatics impress, alongside mocha, tar and purple rose petals. The palate is round and downright voluptuous with a massive core of espresso bean and black cherry compote, alongside black tea and exotic spices on the palate. Full-bodied and showing a downright opulent texture, this beautiful wine will cellar well for at least another fifteen years.

Musky aromas of dark raspberry, tobacco leaf, dark chocolate, smoky oak and menthol are serious and brooding for Merlot. Concentrated, plush and tactile on the palate, with dark raspberry, mocha, woodsmoke, menthol and subtle herb flavors conveying serious energy. Finishes subtle, spicy and very long, with firm but suave tannins giving the wine the backbone to evolve slowly and gracefully.