Hailing from Australia, Beelgara Cabernet Merlot combines two of the great red grapes into a convenient blend.  Do they build off each other and make an Australian value for the taking, or is it best to stick to the Shiraz?

Sight:  A brickish red, with a nice transparency.

Smell:  The nose is a little warm, and pulls in a lot of cocoa powder notes around red plums.  Bright bing cherries and red berries are complimented by spice notes.   The nose is lively, and dynamic.

Sip:  Bright, round, and slightly bitter, it starts off in this pattern, and then keeps growing through a medium body.  Spices and more dark fruits like plum and blackberry come forward.  The brightness pulls more from the currant side, leaning slightly into cranberries.  Hints of smoke play.

Savor:  The ending isn’t overly tannic or bright, but leans into some spice, smoke, and red fruit /  plum skin.

Beelgara Cabernet Merlot has some fun moments, but isn’t particularly balanced.  The flavors of spice and fruit are good, while texturally it rolls all over the place being slightly too light, flabby, and too bright.   For the price, there’s enough good going on to try it Beelgara Cabernet Merlot with food, but for solo drinking, it’s probably going to be a bit to inconsistent.

Verdict:  Bright, Berries, Plums, Inconsistent
Rating: 64
Price: $8
Australia