Deep garnet colored, the 2007 Merlot has a plumy, dark berry character with some cloves, anise and a whiff of reduction / tar. Softly tannined and with a good amount of crisp acidity to enliven the juicy, medium-full bodied palate, this wine has a long finish. It’s perfect for enjoying now yet should keep until 2014. Hunter Valley winery Poole’s Rock produces a range of good value wines under this Cockfighter’s Ghost label. In the New South Wales report earlier this year, their Hunter Valley Semillon was reviewed. These regionally focused South Australian wines are also smart buys to be recommended.Importer: The Wine Angel; www.Wine-Angel.com