From the Hilltops region in New South Wales, this cabernet merlot from Windowrie needed some air to settle down.  Initial aromatics of shoe polish, wood, ash and some sweaty characters, gave way to a more expected expression of bay leaf and dark plum.  The palate is gamey and a little jumpy appearing at times both ripe and unripe, with iodine, some bitterness and sweaty characters ultimately resolving to a plummy expression of cabernet merlot.  Rustic in impression, the wine improves in the glass and decanting is suggested.

Rating: Acceptable, Abv: 14.5%, Price: $18, Source: sample, Vendors: http://www.wine-searcher.com/, Website: http://www.windowrie.com.au, Tasted: 2015