From our sustainably certified estate, Altair Estate has always focused on small‑batch, hand‑crafted wines that marry the elegance of Margaret River with contemporary stylistic daring. We believe Merlot, (often overlooked in Australia) – deserves recognition and our winemaking approach showcases varietal purity through careful oak management, dark red‑fruit energy and refined tannin structure.
At the heart of our Merlot is a winemaking philosophy grounded in respect for the site in Wilyabrup, precision viticulture and a desire to produce layered, expressive wines.
The Young Gun of Wine panel blind‑tasted Merlots from across the country and each judge named their top six wines with our wine standing out for its harmony between bright fruit and brooding depth. Altair Estate’s Merlot 2022 was selected by Hanna Johansson (sales manager, Vintage & Vine) and Tais Silva Prades Villela (sommelier, Punch Lane), with Johansson noting red plum and raspberry alongside darker blackberry and black plum tones, with savoury vanilla, mocha and clove from oak and plush tannins kept lively with biting acidity. “Not too heavy, not too light… a wine made for a buffet table.” Da Silva also admired its bold profile: ripe plums, candied purple fruits and soft tannins on the palate, with a curious popcorn note adding character. “I can imagine drinking this on a rainy afternoon, sitting next to a fireplace with a good book.”
Being named among Australia’s best Merlots by a panel of respected judges is a tremendous honour for our boutique winery. It underscores the success of our approach: blending classical elegance with a modern expression rooted in the Margaret River vineyard.
“I have a real passion for Merlot, which often gets a bad reputation; it is a hill I am happy to die upon. Margaret River is the perfect location to produce great Merlot if it is given rightful time and respect to what it can offer. Our 181 clone helps us produce powerful Merlot’s with the elegance and plushness the varietal is known for. It is fantastic to see The Young Gun of Wine allowing passionate producers to showcase what Merlot can become” Winemaker, Josh Vince.
We remain committed to refining our Merlot and exploring new vintages with the same passion and attention that earned this accolade. We thank the judges and the Young Gun of Wine team for this honour; their discerning tasting and support of innovation in Australian winemaking inspires us to continue elevating lesser‑celebrated varietals with confidence and care.
For the full story on the Deep Dive, the complete list of wines and judges’ notes, please visit:
https://younggunofwine.com/australias-best-merlot/
