De Bortoli Premium Reserve Merlot Cask 2L

Needing a cheap red cask, primarily for cooking, and better still to drink, I picked up this on a Quaff recommendation on its packaging being cask wine of the year 2006. And it may be true, as the bouquet on this Merlot was delightful, with cherries, violets, earth and autumnal mulch, not dissimilar to a decent Pinot Noir. Palate wise it was relatively light, with soft fruit and mellow acidity, making it very easy drinking. At around $10 this is great value, and one of the best bouquets I have had on red wine in a cask to date.
50+4+13+14+7 = 88/100