LaStella 2014 Maestoso "Solo" Merlot (Osoyoos Lake Bench) Okanagan Valley - BC
Availability: Direct from the winery here
Cost: $89.99 + taxes
Alcohol: 14.9%
Production: 217 cases
Date Tasted: June 10th, 2017
@LaStellaWinery
Tasting Notes: Can Okanagan Merlot perform as a solo act? LaStella's Maestoso certainly suggests it can, in the right circumstance. The 2014 edition is quite masculine and incredibly dense with concentrated blackberry purée and kirsch aromas and flavours and plenty of supporting notes from extended French oak contact and from the vineyard sites themselves: fine, grippy tannins, vanilla, licorice, charred oak, spices, herbs and a touch of minerals.
This full-bodied, hedonistic wine should age gracefully, therefore, ideally, give it another 2-3 years of bottle age prior to opening. Drink 2019-2024+.
- Liam Carrier ©copyright 2017 IconWines.ca
LaStella 2013 Maestoso "Solo" Merlot (Osoyoos Lake Bench) Okanagan Valley - BC
Availability: (Not yet released) Direct from the winery here
Cost: $89.99 + taxes
Alcohol: 14.7%
Production: 188 cases
Date Tasted: June 19th, 2016
@LaStellaWinery
Tasting Notes: LaStella's flagship wine, Maestoso, proves that 100% Merlot wines can be as elegant and nuanced as the valley's top Cabernet Sauvignon or its heralded red blends. Harmonious layers of ripe, blackberry and dark plum fruit, vanilla fudge, spiced oak, chocolate nibs, dried herbs and light menthol aromas make the developing bouquet as equally compelling as the complex. refined palate. Intense, ultra-ripe, dark fruit dominates, supported by savoury notes; toasted oak, vanilla mocha, smokey tannins and cooking spices. Has the structure to age gracefully, though, with several hours of decanting you can enjoy this wine today. Ideally, 2-3 more years of bottle age would maximize your investment. Drink 2018-2024+.
- Liam Carrier ©copyright 2016 IconWines.ca
LaStella 2012 Maestoso "Solo" Merlot (Osoyoos Lake Bench) Okanagan Valley - BC
Availability: Direct from the winery here
Cost: $86.81 ($99.90 including taxes)
Alcohol: 14.6%
Production: 263 cases
Date Tasted: June 5th, 2015
@LaStellaWinery
Tasting Notes: True to its impressive lineage, the 2012 Maestoso represents the peak of Merlot production in the Okanagan Valley. Elegant, layered and supremely complex. Look for dark berry, sweet plum, toasted oak, dark chocolate, fresh herbs, mocha, vanilla toffee, menthol and warm spice aromas followed by a medley of similar flavours on the ultra-dry palate with a strong focus on the juxtaposition of the berry and savoury characters. Berry, spice and smoke notes linger and linger and linger on the finish. Sublime.
With several hours of decanting you can enjoy this wine today, though, 2-3 more years of bottle age would maximize your investment. Drink 2018-2023+.
- Liam Carrier ©copyright 2015 IconWines.ca
LaStella 2011 Maestoso "Solo" Merlot (Osoyoos Lake Bench) Okanagan Valley - BC
Availability: Direct from the winery here
Cost: $100
Alcohol: 14.4%
Production: 329 cases
Date Tasted: March 7th, 2014
Tasting Notes: Supremely elegant and nuanced, LaStella's flagship wine, Maestoso, proves that 100% Merlot wines can be just as memorable and complete as equally priced Cabernet Sauvignon when handled with as much care and detailed attention that the Osoyoos Lake winery applies to this beautiful wine. Disciplined vineyard practices and a precise oak ageing program attained the desired complexity and quality; producing a sublime nose layered with dark berry, plum, chocolate-mocha, vanilla toffee and warm spice aromas with an invigorating vein of menthol lifting the developing bouquet. Similar flavours follow on the richly textured and rounded palate supported by fine, ripe tannins and balanced acidity. The finish lingers effortlessly and meaningfully.
With several hours of decanting you can enjoy this wine today, though, 2-3 more years of bottle age would maximize your investment. Drink 2016-2021.
- Liam Carrier ©copyright 2014 IconWines.ca
