2020 Premium Merlot
In Stock
The wonderful growing conditions in 2020 were conducive to making lovely red wines and Merlot was no exception. Merlot is more susceptible to winter damage than the two other Bordeaux reds we grow and this vintage was a welcome relief.
Wine Specs
Vintage
2020
Varietal
Merlot
Appellation
VQA Niagara Peninsula
Brix at Harvest
24.5°
Residual Sweetness
3.0
Alcohol %
14.0
Wine Profile
Tasting Notes
Medium bodied wine with a lots of ripe fruit, very fine tannins and juicy mouthfeel. It shows a ripe cherry fruit character, well integrated notes of toasted oak, spices, dark chocolate, coffee and tobacco. Soft tannins and silky texture at the end. Best Serving Temperatures. 16° to 19°C
Winemaker Notes
An 11 barrel blend from fruit sourced from the Home Farm and another top vineyard located in Niagara-on-the-Lake. Harvested in November, the must was fermented in small batch 1 ton bins with daily pigéage and malo-lactic fermentation. Pressed to seasoned (two to 10 year old) American and French oak barrels for maturation over a 22 month period before a series of blending trials were conducted to establish the best assemblage. Bottled with filtration for clarity, the wine was laid down for integration for 12 months.
Food Pairing Notes
Not surprisingly this Merlot is a great accompaniment for dishes made with dark meat - on the BBQ for summer (burgers with cheddar or blue cheese, steaks with BBQ sauce); pan-seared or oven roasted (with red wine sauces) in cooler weather. Or coq au vin made with chicken thighs, bacon, onion, mushrooms and red wine. And for gourmet cooks: Pan Seared Duck Breast with Blueberry Sauce or Grilled Flat Iron Steak With Blue Cheese Butter.