2003 Marquis Philips Merlot South Eastern Australia

The sexy, plump, seductive, medium-bodied 2003 Merlot offers aromas and flavors of mocha, bay leaves, and berry fruit in a soft, supple-textured style. Drink it over the next 1-3 years. The highly respected South Australian viticulturists/winemakers, Sarah and Sparky Marquis, in partnership with their importer, Dan Philips of the Grateful Palate, successfully launched the inexpensive line of Marquis Philips wines several years ago, creating something of a monster because of their enormous crowd appeal. While 2003 is a lighter vintage than its predecessors, these offerings have turned out nicely. The handful of consumers who deemed 2002 too concentrated for such inexpensive wines will be delighted to learn that the 2003s are slightly lighter, but still loaded with character as well as flavor. They possess heavy duty, exuberant fruit, ripeness, and considerable personality. Importer: Dan Philips, The Grateful Palate, Oxnard, CA; tel. (888) 472-5283