2016 Patina Jezza Cabernet Merlot

This is one of the more compelling red wines i have enjoyed from Orange and is worthy of its flagship status. The wine is a Bordeaux style blend with 75% Merlot, 17% Cabernet Franc, 7% Cabernet Sauvignon and 1% Petit Verdot.

A youthful red hue in the glass the nose has spice and sweeter cedar tones from new oak that are beautifully contrasted by piercing blackberry and mulberry fruits alongside earth and graphite.

Blackberry drives the palate with milk chocolate interlaced with tobacco and leather, tannins are compact and drying with taut acidity that is in harmony with the wines other components. The integration of new oak shows through on the finish with vanillin tones to dark berry fruits.