Elderton Merlot 2024 is a single-parcel, estate-grown Barossa Valley Merlot from the family’s Nuriootpa vineyard — a wine with a story that began in 1992, when an exceptional parcel convinced the Elderton team to bottle it as a single varietal rather than blend it away. Since then, it has been frequently recognised among the best and most consistent Merlots in the country. The 2024 vintage benefited from decent winter rains, a long cool autumn, and great flavour development — fermented in open concrete vats before 14 months in predominantly second-fill French puncheons, allowing the fruit vitality to shine with subtle oak and a fine line of tannin to balance. Punchy red currant, cherry, and blackberry with leafy herbal tones and a toasty finish. Plush, vibrant, and deeply satisfying. 92–93 points across four reviews.
Tasting Notes
Appearance
Deep crimson with a purple rim — the rich, vibrant colour of an estate-grown Nuriootpa Merlot from a long, cool 2024 autumn that allowed for exceptional flavour development and natural freshness.
Aroma
Spicy cherry fruit with a touch of cinnamon — plum pudding, chocolate, cassis, aniseed, mocha, and black fruits, with lifted spices and hints of baking spices, crushed herbs, and dried raspberry. An evocative and complex bouquet from a single small estate parcel.
Palate
Medium-bodied, vibrant, and supple — punchy red currant, cherry, and blackberry peppered with leafy herbal tones and a toasty note, with succulent cherry-ripe and black fruit, a lift of light leaf and spice, and subtle oak sitting neatly within a smoothly defined fruity profile. A fine line of tannin adds a serious note to the finish.
Pairs With
Pork belly with apple, slow-cooked ragù, mushroom-based dishes, and semi-soft cheeses — a go-to for cosy nights in and relaxed, flavourful meals.
Finish
Long and fine — powdery tannins and crunchy fruit carrying the cherry, red currant, and spice to a clean, balanced close. Best enjoyed now to medium term, though a little extra time in the cellar certainly wouldn’t harm it.
Reviews
Dave Brookes, Halliday Wine Companion — 92 Points
“An estate-grown (Nuriootpa) merlot that’s all plump and plush with juicy, cinnamon-dusted plum, dark cherry and boysenberry fruits. Hints of baking spices, crushed herbs, dried raspberry, light toasty oak, blueberry pie and cocoa nibs. With nice crunchy fruit, powdery tannins and a medium-weight path across the palate, it’s lovely drinking.”
Ray Jordan, Wine Pilot — 92 Points
“A juicy medium-bodied style with lovely supple fruit characters evident and lifted spices that dominate on the nose. The palate is loaded with a combination of succulent cherry-ripe and black fruit notes, but there’s a lift of light leaf and spice. The oak is subtle and understated, sitting neatly within the smoothly defined fruity profile.”
Ken Gargett, Wine Pilot — 93 Points
“Dark maroon with a crimson/purple rim, the nose provides an evocative array of aromas including plum pudding, chocolate, cassis, aniseed, mocha and black fruits. Supple and yet quite dense in structure, finishing with fine, sleek tannins. Good focus throughout, this is rather delicious and a lovely example of Barossa Valley Merlot.”
Campbell Mattinson, The Wine Front — 92 Points
“This has more complexity and interest than a lot of Barossa shiraz releases. It tastes of blackberry and loam, coffee and thyme, sage and peppercorns. The delivery of satisfying fruit flavour, with an array to it, is well accomplished here.”
