Rating 94
Good colour; perfectly expressed varietal character in a medium bodied frame;
small red fruits, fine, silky tannins.
Trophy winner 2005 Tasmanian Wine Show
James Halliday
2006 Australian Wine Companion
(Collins, Australia 2005)

Trophy and Gold Medal 2005
Tasmanian Wine Show
Stefano Lubiana pulled off a big win in January with its 2003 Merlot winning a
trophy at the 2005 Tasmanian Wines Show for best Bordeaux Variety or Blend.
The Tasmanian Wines Show is held annually and features Tasmanian wines from
all regions around the state. In a strong line up of mainly Cabernet Sauvignon
Merlot blends the 2003 Stefano Lubiana Merlot won a gold medal and trophy for
best wine in its class.
For Steve this vindicates his belief that Merlot is well suited to cool climate viticulture
“I’ve always believed Merlot is well suited to the Tasmanian climate. With good
vineyard management we have kept it low yielding to build exceptional fruit
intensity. The wine will also develop with time and cellar for up to another seven
years.”

From one of Tassie’s best producers, this wine is saturated with both colour and
flavour. There is a mix of earthy and blackberry flavours, and an overriding
character of Cuban tobacco. An intriguing mix of the plush and the elegant make
this a rare wine. Drink with: A fillet of kangaroo. Rating: 89.
Top 100
Brisbane Courier Mail, June 2005

There’s also about 5% cab sav in this blend. It has some lovely ripe berry fruit and
a savoury finish. A polished wine with clever oak treatment. Try it with steak and
mushroom pie.
Wine Lesson 36- Don’t rule out Tassie reds
Sunday Age (Life Magazine) - 5th June 2005
Sally Gudgeon

I hate most Merlot. Girlot I call it. But this is the exception. Rich, long, berried,
plummy, velvety, balanced and comforting... I could go on but the bottle has run out.
It’s good because the vineyard gets enough sun to ripen the grapes and the cool
climate locks in the essential acidity. This is the only good Australian Merlot I have
had in five years.
Drinks
ABC Delicious, September 2005
Ben Canaider