The old vine D3v14 clone planted on two blocks at Sevenhill is not known for great concentration, yet Sevenhill produces Merlot wines of greater colour, palate structure and character than most. We see Merlot's finest qualities of violet perfume and silky texture coming from the uniform but not rich, clay loams of Sevenhill's vineyard. Secondly, it's all in the timing. The aim is to encourage all berries to ripen simultaneously and evenly. A fine accompaniement to osso buco or veal, Inigo makes the most of a slow cooked leg of rosemary garlic lamb.

Why is Sevenhill Merlot so sensationally different? Firstly because Merlot is a sook! It needs a certain soil type to produce its best, not too rich or too poor. Grapes are crushed into Sevenhill's century old slate fermenters, a perfect size for allowing the soaking skins to give up their character into the wine. The must is pumped over or gently plunged daily to gently extract colour and tannins. Following a traditional basket press, the wine is transferred into a combination of new and older French and American oak hogsheads for eighteen months maturation.