Two-thousand was a challenging vintage in McLaren Vale, but you would never know that by tasting Coriole’s 2000 Cabernet/Merlot Mary Kathleen. A blend of 90% Cabernet Sauvignon and 10% Merlot, this terrific inky/purple-colored effort displays a gorgeous nose of melted road tar, sweet vanilla, creme de cassis, and camphor. Full-bodied, with wonderful density, purity, ripeness, and tremendous overall harmony as well as persistence, it can be drunk now and over the next 10-12 years. A beauty! Kudos to proprietor/winemaker Mark Lloyd, referred to as the “renaissance man” by many of his peers.Importer: Robert Whale Selections, New World Wines Pty., Washington, DC; tel. (202) 237-5200