Introducing ‘The Virginia’ Merlot

The latest addition to the B&G line-up!

Crafted from estate grown fruit at our home, Hounds Run Vineyard, ‘The Virginia’ Merlot is named in honour of Darcy’s mum, whose nickname actually happens to be Ginger!

‘The Virginia’ Merlot is rich with dark plum, black cherry and gentle spice. There’s a savoury thread of dried herbs and graphite too, keeping things fresh and finely tuned. Aged in older French oak, it’s a super small-batch red that brings both soul and structure to the glass.

It’s been given two thumbs up from Ginger herself: “It’s terrific watching Hadyn, Lucy and Darcy follow their dreams as they grow Black & Ginger. And it’s an honour to have a wine named after me, especially one as delicious as this Merlot.”

With only 44 dozen bottles produced, ‘The Virginia’ is exclusively available at the Wine Shed or online.

‘The Virginia’ has been awarded 94 points by Campbell Mattinson:

“Organically-grown merlot from the Grampians region, made in tiny quantity (44 dozen only). It’s a wine worthy of contemplation. It’s spicy, it’s ripe-fruited, it’s fresh; it’s many things. It’s also laced with fine-grained tannin, and splashed with black pepper, and run with a smidgen of chocolate-like character, the latter just enough to give the palate a feeling of silk. We’re in medium-weight red wine territory here, in the best of ways. It’s harmonious, a bit minty, and a lot lovely.” — 94 points, Campbell Mattinson

Jeni Port, writing for WinePilot and the Halliday Wine Companion, also awarded ‘The Virginia’ 94 points:

“The Virginia arrives with a sense of class and purpose. This is not your average Merlot. Violets and black pepper gather on the scent with black cherry, plum, blue fruits and a lingering hint of bay leaf. Ripe tannins roll through the palate carrying plenty of fleshy texture and charm.” — 94 points, Jeni Port

Brendan Black, wine reviewer for WinePilot:

“Merlot still gets a bit of a bad rap but it’s entirely undeserved; in the right hands, it can be beautiful. The Black & Ginger Merlot is full of life, with aromas that spring from the glass: red cherry, black olive, black pepper, bay leaf and some tertiary leather and earth.” — 93 points, Brendan Black, WinePilot