Gardner’s Vineyard Merlot 2014 from the rolling hills just north of Port Lincoln is a plush, full‑flavoured Eyre Peninsula red that turns the comfort dial right up. This Gardner’s Vineyard Merlot 2014 builds on the estate’s rich, generous house style, delivering serious flavour in a relaxed, country‑grown package. It’s the kind of Merlot that will keep both casual drinkers and seasoned red‑wine fans happy.

In the glass you can expect ripe, dark berry and plummy fruit with a touch of fruitcake richness, softly fringed by subtle oak spice. The palate is rich and full‑bodied, showing huge fruit with soft tannins that are now beautifully resolved and the wine said to be peaking in the glass. Despite the power, it stays smooth and velvety, with that dark‑fruit core carrying through to a long, warming finish.

I’d pour this alongside a grilled scotch fillet, slow‑cooked lamb shanks or a hearty cottage pie – dishes that can match the wine’s weight and plush fruit. It will also be excellent with hard cheeses and a generous antipasto platter for a relaxed night in. Open it, give it a brief splash in a jug, and enjoy a beautifully matured Eyre Peninsula Merlot at its sweet spot.