St Anne's Bendigo Merlot 2022
medium-bodied red wine · St Anne's Winery is a well-established family-owned Australian producer with vineyards and cellar doors in regional Victoria, known for crafting approachable, fruit-driven varietal wines that reflect the distinct character of Central Victoria's goldfields region.
Vintage: 2022
Type
medium-bodied red wine
Producer
St Anne's Winery is a well-established family-owned Australian producer with vineyards and cellar doors in regional Victoria, known for crafting approachable, fruit-driven varietal wines that reflect the distinct character of Central Victoria's goldfields region.
Country
Australia
Vintage
2022
Region & Appellation
Bendigo, Victoria, Australia
Grape Varieties
100% Merlot
Color & Appearance
Deep ruby red with a youthful purple rim and medium viscosity, showing bright clarity and moderate tears on the glass.
Aroma Profile
Ripe dark plums, black cherries, and subtle hints of dried herbs, complemented by gentle undertones of vanilla and sweet spice from oak aging.
Tasting Notes
A smooth and approachable entry featuring plush dark berry fruit on the mid-palate, leading into a balanced and moderately long finish with soft, melting tannins and integrated acidity.
Flavor Profile
Juicy black plum, blackberry, and cherry fruit core, layered with nuances of cocoa, subtle herbal leafiness, and a touch of vanilla oak.
Body & Texture
Medium-bodied with a soft, velvety texture and smooth mouthfeel, offering a rounded and approachable weight on the palate.
Acidity & Tannins
Medium acidity that provides pleasant freshness, paired with fine-grained, velvety tannins that are mature and non-aggressive.
Sweetness Level
Dry with minimal residual sugar, balanced by ripe fruit sweetness on the palate.
Alcohol Content
13.5% ABV
Aging & Oak
Aged in a combination of stainless steel and seasoned oak barrels to preserve vibrant primary fruit character while adding subtle texture and spice complexity.
Food Pairings
Ideal for pairing with autumn roasted lamb chops, grilled beef burgers, mushroom risotto, or semi-hard cheeses like Cheddar and Gouda.
Serving Suggestions
Serve slightly cool at 16-18°C in a standard red wine glass. No decanting is strictly necessary, though a short aeration of 15 minutes helps open up the aromas. Enjoy within its prime drinking window.
Price Range
$15 - $25 USD
Quality Assessment
Solid everyday to premium tier wine offering good varietal typicity and great value for casual dining and weeknight enjoyment, scoring around 87-89 points.
Production Methods
Fermented in temperature-controlled stainless steel tanks with gentle pump-overs to extract soft color and tannins, followed by brief maturation with French or American oak influence.
Terroir
Bendigo features ancient, weathered soils rich in quartz and ironstone, combined with a warm, continental climate characterized by high sunshine hours and cool evening breezes that help retain acidity.
History & Heritage
St Anne's has a long-standing presence in Victorian winemaking, celebrated for creating welcoming cellar door experiences and approachable regional wines that highlight classic Australian varietals.
Interesting Facts
The label features a distinctive leaping silhouette graphic, representing the creative and artistic branding often associated with St Anne's regional releases.
Cellaring Potential
Best enjoyed young and fresh to appreciate the vibrant fruit profile, ideally within 2 to 4 years of the vintage date.
Similar Wines
Australian Merlots from regions like the Yarra Valley, McLaren Vale, or Hawke's Bay Merlots from New Zealand.