No other grape can match merlot for smooth, plummy drinking pleasure. It can be comforting in its simplicity or thought provoking in its complexity. This dozen allows you to sample both with 6 wines, 2 bottles of each. Leconfield Coonawarra's Trophy winning merlot is considered a benchmark for quality and value in the region; it's elegant and silky. Whilst the Bec Hardy Pertaringa Stage Left Merlot from the McLaren Vale is dark and velvety with plum, raisin and chocolate notes. And the Hunter Valley's Mount Eyre Merlot Three Ponds 2021 (valued at $38) is medium bodied with dark red fruits, spice and tobacco notes.