Merlot is the dominant grape with both Cabs acting as a backstop. Mid-weight with black cherry, blackcurrant, raspberry, vanilla, smoky tobacco and pencil shavings. Tannins are present but unobtrusive, making for an excellent pairing with a rack of lamb.
Fermented and aged in new French and American barrels, this rendition of this wine lets loose with aromas of blackberry, raspberry, spice, violets, cocoa, black olive and hickory. The palate adds cassis, smoke and tobacco. Stylish; there is a medium body, fine tannins and proper acidity. Drink over the next 5 to 6 years.
14% Merlot and 1% Cabernet Franc. Red and black fruit with bell-pepper aromas, before a plush palate of mocha, blackberry and dark chocolate; vanilla and oak notes through the close.
95% Merlot with 4% Cabernet Franc, 1% Syrah. Ruby colour with a mature rim; cedary, wood spice on the nose with strawberry and raspberry-note aromas and a light floral note; medium-bodied, full on the palate with blackberry and black-cherry flavours and a tannic lift on the finish. Good mouthfeel. St Émilion in style.
Fruit-driven juicy new-world-styled Pinot from the South Okanagan yields juicy black cherry and dried fruit aromas before a raspberry-and-vanilla-toned palate with a slight savoury herbal edge.
This is what a great Merlot should be: delicious, ripe and mouth-coating. Plum, chocolate, cherry, red/purple flowers, spice, smoke and mint combine to provide a gratifying experience. Excellent length. Drink until 2020.
Considering the challenging nature of the vintage, this wine is somewhat of a minor miracle. It clocks in at a natural 14.2% alcohol and is classic Cab Franc with vanilla, raspberry, cassis, red pepper, cocoa and smoky tobacco attributes. Low yields provide a sweet/fruity palate with fine tannins. Drink until 2023.