Moutere Hills Sarau Reserve Nelson Merlot 2018 $55 
With its heady perfume of bay leaf and tobacco, fig and prune characters, this soft, plump, fleshy Nelson merlot has slippers by the fireside written all over it. Moutere Hills was founded back in 1997 and 27 years on, they’re turning out some seriously delicious wine. Sarau is their flagship merlot and only made in years when the fruit is exceptional. Earthy, soft, dusted with smoke, liquorice and caramelised oak, there’s a meaty character to the wine that walks alongside fine, pillowy tannins.
