💎 Merlot's First Day 💎
We’ve been putting off reviewing a straight-up Merlot for a while now - not because we’ve got anything against it, but because at the under-$15 price point it’s been a bit hit-and-miss in our past experience. But this week, we finally put our theory to the test and this Merlot hailing from the Monash Valley in SA stepped up to the plate.
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A Merlot Worth Hiring 🌱
🍷 Farm Hand Monash Valley Merlot (2024)
Righto, we finally bit the bullet and gave a pure Merlot a run. Not a Shiraz-Merlot blend. Not a “mystery red” with Merlot lurking in the back. A proper, name-on-the-bottle Merlot. And for the first one out the gate on Vine in the Rough, this Farm Hand fella actually held its own. Usually, when we’re trawling the under-$15 wine waters, we lean toward Shiraz or Cab Sav - more reliable hits, fewer awkward swirls and shrugs. This one, though? It stuck around and did the job.
We picked it up for a sneaky $12, though it looks like it’s crept back up to $13.99 - still fair game by our standards, but maybe don’t expect to have enough change left over for that fancy block of Lindt at Woolies. Unless you’re the type to shop with coins in your car’s ashtray, in which case…power to you.
Now here’s where it gets a bit goody-two-shoes...it’s organic, vegan-friendly, gluten-free, and low in preservatives. So unless you’re off the sauce completely, there’s not much stopping you from enjoying it. And if you do happen to let it flow a little too freely, there's a chance your hangover might be more of a polite nudge than a full-blown two-day regret spiral.
As for the taste - look, we quite liked it. Think dark berries, a flicker of thyme or something vaguely herby, and a smooth-as texture that hangs around just long enough to say “g’day” without moving in permanently. We still wouldn’t pick it over a proper, bold Shiraz, but it gave its fellow Merlots a good name.
The label gave us mild Lord of the Rings vibes - bit of a Middle-Earth-meets-Monash energy. Probably not what they were going for, but hey, it works. The darker design and unique capsule give it a slightly fancy edge that balances out the earthy organic branding. It certainly doesn’t scream cheap, which we always appreciate.
All in all, if you’re cruising past Dan’s, chuck a bottle in the basket. It’s totally drinkable on its own, but it’d really shine next to something warm and comforting - we’re talking lasagne, slow-cooked anything, or a dish that comes with both carbs and emotional support. Would we drink it over a big ol’ Shiraz? Probably not. But this Merlot’s not trying to be a Shiraz. It’s doing its own thing - and doing it pretty well.
VITR Official Score: 7.5 / 10
👍 Reality vs Perception: A $12 wine that drinks like something you’d expect from the $18 shelf.
👩🎨 Label Aesthetics: Rustic Lord of the Rings vibes with a premium twist. We dig it.
👴 Comparison to Nonno’s Home Brew: Bit lighter than Nonno’s, but this one wasn't too far off...we got very close to a match with this one.
🪩 Fit for an Engagement Party: Maybe not centrepiece stuff, but a good bottle to roll out once the speeches start.
🤑 Keep the Change: If you’re lucky and it’s on special again, you might have enough left for a cheeky choccy bar. (P.S. spelling of "choccy" is still up for debate.)
Real Talk
📖 Fake It 'Til You Make It
Fleshy: No, we’re not talking about chicken thighs. In wine lingo, “fleshy” just means it’s got a nice, full texture - not watery, not chewy, just bang in the middle.
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💡 Sip Tip
Midweek Wines Deserve Glassware Too: Drinking from a proper wine glass, even on a Tuesday, makes everything taste 7% better. Science? Nah. Vibes? Absolutely.
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🍿 Sip & Snack
Merlot & Beef Stroganoff: This combo is like tracksuit pants on a Sunday - warm, comforting, and unexpectedly satisfying. Bonus points if there’s garlic bread involved.
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Until Next Week, Cheers 🍷
Farm Hand Merlot: Earthy, approachable and surprisingly elegant. Just don’t expect a Shiraz-style wallop - this one’s more slow dance than mosh pit.
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