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2020 Merlot

In Stock

Silver Medal Winner, SavorNW Wine Awards 2024

This medium 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 blackberry, black currant, and plum with a hint of French oak. It has a full body, balanced acidity and moderate tannins that are softening nicely with age.

Wine Critic Reviews

Review By Christopher Waters, Globe & Mail:
"This charming merlot is produced with grapes grown around River Stone winery in Oliver, B.C. Dark fruit flavours (black cherry, blackberry) provide a sweet start that is rounded out by oak-derived vanilla and spice notes. This is nicely balanced with structure and character, a well-made red to savour now or later. It has 14.2 per cent ABV. Drink now to 2030. 91pts"

Wine Specs

Vintage

2020

Varietal

Merlot

Appellation

Okanagan Valley

Aging

7 - 10 years

Bottling Date

September 2022

Alcohol %

14.2

Wine Profile

Vineyard Notes

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 2020 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.

Product Reviews

Michelle Keown

(Jul 19, 2024 at 11:02 AM)

This is my favorite riverstone product. I love all the wines that I buy from them but this and stones throw are my faves