The 2021 Ribbon Vale Merlot leads with its vessel, but the fruit beneath is elegant and red fruited, shaped by fine, gritty tannins. The oak feels a little biscuity in this vintage, but I quite like that the fruit cannot be deterred. In the mouth, there are flavors of red earth and raspberry, cocoa and a hint of nori. I feel that time will be kind to this wine, as the fruit and oak, while separate at this stage, are reading from the same playbook. 2021 was a challenging vintage in Margaret River, especially for later-ripening red varietals, yet there were triumphs all over the place; and while this wine may take some time to come together, I feel this may have been one of them. 13.5% alcohol, sealed under screw cap.