Availability: Direct from winery, select private wine shops
Cost: $25-29
Alcohol: 14.2%
Date Tasted: November 30th, 2010
Tasting Notes: Named for two owls who return to the Fairview Cellars vineyard each year and provide "sustainable pest control", this Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc and Merlot blend is winemaker Bill Eggert's entry-level Meritage wine. A medley of dark fruit on the nose: blueberry, blackberry and cassis. Supported with nice aromas of vanilla, toasted oak and sweet smoke.
The palate is still tight and very youthful, but with some coaxing (and major decanting) layers of dark fruits and light oak flavours appear. High-minus acid and medium-plus tannins with a chalky texture and lingering oak spice on the moderate-plus finish. Well balanced to pair with food (try a grilled, peppercorn steak).
This is the Fairview Cellars wine to buy a case of each year as it follows a similar script to the big Bear, solid extraction, built to last and develop, but minus the complexity and price tag of the flagship Bordeaux-styled blend. Aging this wine will allow the excellent tannin structure to mellow and meld with the fruit characters of the wine. Wait, if you can, and enjoy this wine from 2012+ and you'll be happily rewarded. You'll forget you only paid $25 a bottle. Drink 2012-2016.
- Liam Carrier ©copyright 2010
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