2019 Merlot
In Stock
Gold Medal Winner, Savor NW Wine Awards, 2023
This full bodied Merlot was made to showcase the ripe varietal fruit character expressive of our rocky/gravelly terroir. This wine is presently showing dark berry notes that include black cherry, sweet black berry, black current, and plum with a hint of French oak. It has a medium body, balanced acidity and soft tannins.
Wine Specs
Vintage
2019
Varietal
Merlot
Appellation
Okanagan Valley
Vineyard Designation
River Rock Vineyard
Aging
7 - 10 years
Bottling Date
September 2021
Alcohol %
14.2
Wine Profile
Vineyard Notes
The winter of 2018 was reasonably normal with no damage to vines. Bud break was on April 27th 2019. May was nice and warm getting the vines off to a good start. June and July saw cooler and unsettled weather. August weather returned to seasonal norms. September was wetter than usual, but October returned to good grape growing weather. The grapes were harvested in mid to late October. The grapes for this single vineyard wine were grown in our River Rock Vineyard which surrounds our winery in Oliver BC. Vines are cared for with meticulous attention to canopy and water management ensuring the highest possible quality grapes at harvest. Harvest decisions were based on winemaker’s personal preference with particular attention to flavor, grape tannin maturity, and sugar/acid balance. The vineyard is on south facing slopes where soil is composed of rock, sand, and gravel that is rich in calcium, laid down during the last glacial recession.
Winemaker Notes
This 2019 Merlot was fermented in both stainless steel tanks (2200, 2850, and 5000 litre) and small fermentation totes to maximize skin to juice contact. The wine was receiving 2-3 punch downs daily. Upon completion of fermentation the wine was pressed to tanks to settle sediment before transferring to barrel where malolactic fermentation was completed. The wine was aged in premium French oak barrels (33% new) for approximately 18 months.
Other Notes
Review published on April 24, 2023.
"This medium-bodied Merlot from British Columbia's Okanagan Valley delivers lively structured acidity with balanced notes of spice and earth. Aromas allude to cedar, green peppercorn, new leather, dried herbs and hints of red fruit. On the palate, it's bright with flavors of cherry and plum skin upfront, followed by notes of baking spice that mix with hints of clay pot minerality that find a nice balance through a medium-long, finely-textured finish."
- Reviewed by Gary Hayes, SavorNW Award Gold Medal 2023, 92 Points
Product Reviews
Randy & Marlise
(Apr 23, 2022 at 12:46 PM)
Taste of lots of dark fruit, deep red, full flavor and went well with roasted lamb and greek potatoes. Love this wine and vintage