Wild & Wilder, The Exhibitionist Merlot, Barossa Valley, South Australia, Australia, 2021

Producer Profile

Wild & Wilder is all about good clean fun. Working hand in hand with their merry (in a good season) band of growers, they craft wines of supreme quality but don’t take it all too seriously.

Great fruit, grown by great people and made with a lot of love by people that know that wine is all about the good times, delicious food and creating great memories. Founded by Giles Cooke MW & Fergal Tynan MW, who also make the Thistledown wines, the mundane is just not in their DNA. Being involved in every stage of the winemaking process from bud burst to bottle means that every bottle from Wild & Wilder is an experience you’ll want to try again.

Viticulture

The Barossa Valley is rightly famed for its red wine production. On the Southern reaches of the region, the climate has more similarities with the Adelaide Hills than the valley floor. Here, varieties such as Merlot thrive in the slightly cooler temperatures. Planted on rich red loams with quartz and ironstone nuggets dotted amongst the vines which lend a structure and minerality to the wines produced.

Winemaking

Precise varietal expression and balance are what we seek to achieve and so picking time is of utmost importance. We pick just as flavours are approaching their peak rather than let them get over-ripe. We retain whole berries in the ferment for vibrancy and we press relatively early to avoid astringent tannins. The wine spent 6 months in older French oak

Oak Ageing

Time: 6 Months
Type: French
% wine oaked: 100
% new oak: None

Tasting Note

The Exhibitionist is full of rich plum and damson fruit on the nose. Oak used is unobtrusive on the palate which is dominated by rich red berry flavours while also presenting subtle earthy nuances. The wine is elegant and silky with a long finish.

Food Matching

Lamb couscous or grilled lamb chops. Duck confit or Asian style served in a plum sauce.