Geoff Merrill - 'Cilento' - Sangiovese, Southern Aus. - 2011

To celebrate Geoff Merrill's Great Grandfather who immigrated to Australia from Italy in the late 1800s comes this Italian varietal. Made with fruit from the Cilento vineyard in the McLaren Vale and aged in American and French oak Puncheons (~320 liter barrel) for 32 months.

The wine itself is a complex mix of fruit and spice that one would expect of this most mercurial of varietals. There are notes of spice, leather, cured meats and cedar-y earthy oak on the nose. The palate has very well developed stewed fruit, bramble, lively acidity and a dry savoury finish. Ideal with lamb shanks, beef casserole or a big grilled and stuffed portobello mushroom. Hmm.

No need to wait for winter, try at any barbecue..!