First attempt at tasting notes so here goes about the lowest priced Tatachilla Merlot (start low, work up!)

I've tried plenty from Tatachilla across the range and at the low end it is very high QPR. On Saturday I spotted the lowest priced Merlot Breakneck Creek 2001 at the local Safeway for £4(US$6)per bottle. Never had it before but it's Tatachilla so I bought three. Opened one last night to see what it was like and I couldn't believe that I was drinking a £4 bottle. It was rich, fragrant, full of soft summer fruit and beautifully smooth for such a young wine.

The initial bouquet was quite subdued in comparison with the Clarendon (a personal favourite) but it opened up as the wine stayed in the glass giving that Aussie hit of full fruit and a hint of gentle spices, cloves are all I can think of. The dark ruby colour gave away the age but it moved around the glass with a very elegant swish holding on but not quite having the legs you'd hope for (take account that this is less than a fiver.) The label reckons that it will develop over the next two to four years whilst most other wines in this price bracket give you a best before date this year. Lady KillerB was enthused enough to drain the bottle only to find grit in there!

Not the best wine that I had over the weekend (Nobilo Icon SB 1999 takes that title) but a better value wine I've yet to encounter. It goes back up to £6 tomorrow, so I'm back down to Safeway to buy some more. No idea what Robert Parker gave it but it must be the only sub-fiver wine that gets 84 KB points. QPR rating 10/10 - hope you can get it in the US!