The Picardy Merlot Cabernets 2021 is a Bordeaux-style red blend from Pemberton in Western Australia, built around Merlot's soft, plummy core with Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc adding structure and lift. It is a wine that favours savoury detail over sheer fruit weight, in keeping with this producer's fine-boned house style.

Dark plum, blackcurrant and a touch of dried bay leaf come through on the nose, with cedar-like spice and a faint graphite note adding complexity as the glass opens. The palate is medium-bodied and supple, with the fruit staying fresh and bright rather than jammy or overripe.

Tannins are fine and well-knit, giving the wine a smooth, even texture through to a long, savoury finish with just enough grip to suit richer food without ever feeling hard or drying.

Pair it with roast lamb, a mushroom and beef pie, braised short rib, or hard cheeses such as aged cheddar or gruyère. It is a versatile, food-friendly red that doesn't need a special occasion to open.

It is drinking well now and will hold comfortably for another three to four years in a cool cellar.