IconScores.ca: Merlot

Showing posts with label Merlot. Show all posts

Wild Goose Vineyards 2020 Merlot - 89pts

Wild Goose Vineyards 2020 Merlot (Okanagan Valley) BC

Availability: Direct from winery here
Cost: $25.99
Alcohol: 13.5%
Date Tasted: May 25th, 2023

Tasting Notes: A dry, medium-plus bodied Merlot with lots of spice and mint accompanying the classic, mixed berry fruit and cacophony of savoury notes on the boisterous nose and the medium tannin palate.

Lots to like here at this price point with many pairing options and no chewy, residual sugar to deal with. Lamb with mint sauce or lean cuts of beef are a good start or go for something more bold like duck served with a wild berry reduction. Enjoy this one in its youth. Drink now-2025.

Burrowing Owl Estate Winery 2020 Merlot - 90pts

Burrowing Owl Estate Winery 2020 Merlot (Black Sage Bench) Okanagan Valley - BC

Availability: Direct from the winery here
Cost: $32 + taxes
Alcohol: 13.5%
Date Tasted: August 23rd, 2022
@BurrowingOwlBC

Tasting Notes: The Burrowing Owl Merlot is back to its intense, yet, elegant self with the newly released 2020 vintage which elevates the label's rich'n'racy style to more familiar heights. Always a beautiful blend of blackened berries, licorice-spiced oak and punchy acidity, the 2020 offers more depth and length on the palate and finish with added notes of eucalyptus, cooking spice and iron. Ready to go now thanks to fine, supportive tannins and a well-integrated flavours. Drink 2022-2026.

Gold Hill Winery 2018 Merlot - 92pts

Gold Hill Winery 2018 Merlot (Golden Mile Slope) Okanagan Valley - BC

Availability: Not yet released. Direct from winery here
Cost: $42.99
Alcohol: 15.3%
Date Tasted: August 12th, 2022

Tasting Notes: A big Merlot with a beautiful, intense nose of ripe, mixed-berries and rich, savoury notes offering impressive depth and opulence. The intensity continues on the plump, high-alcohol palate, though, the luscious layers of plum, black cherry, mocha, toasted oak and cigar box keep the balance in check and the finish tasting smooth where refined tannins and a touch of spice linger. Ready to go now as your high-tannin reds mellow in the cellar. Drink 2022-2028.

Burrowing Owl Estate Winery 2019 Merlot - 88pts

Burrowing Owl Estate Winery 2019 Merlot (Black Sage Bench) Okanagan Valley - BC

Availability: Direct from the winery here
Cost: $32 + taxes
Alcohol: 13.5%
Date Tasted: February 17th, 2022
@BurrowingOwlBC

Tasting Notes: Elegant on the dark fruit and charred, licorice-oak scented nose which precedes a rich'n'racy palate with good continuity of flavours framed by punchy acid, blackened tannins and a finish loaded with spice and iron. This is a Merlot to pair with dark chocolate or raw tenderloin, rather than with BBQ'd meats. Ready to go now or hold for 2-3 years. Drink 2022-2025.

Cassini Cellars 2018 Merlot - 91pts

Cassini Cellars 2018 Merlot (Golden Mile Bench) Okanagan Valley - BC

Availability: Direct from winery here
Cost: $TBD
Alcohol: 15.4%
Date Tasted: November 8th, 2021

Tasting Notes: A dark and brooding Merlot with a masculine, film noir profile of dark fruit, black menthol smoke, kirsch, sweet tar and subtle, seductive spice - a nose to appreciate, patiently. The palate is dry with good balance thanks to uber-refined, yet, grippy tannins and a long, long finish with lingering smoky-goodness.

Ready to go now, enjoy this sexy beast with your special someone as an after-dinner treat, paired with fine, dark chocolate. Drink 2021-2028.

Mt. Boucherie Estate Winery 2018 Merlot - 90pts

Mt. Boucherie Estate Winery 2018 Merlot - BC VQA

Availability: Direct from winery here
Cost: $24.99 + taxes
Alcohol: 13.9%
Date Tasted: May 25th, 2021

Tasting Notes: A sexy Merlot, sourced from multiple sites in the Okanagan and Similkameen valleys, balancing smoky, savoury characters with concentrated black and blue fruits. Dry and toasty on the spicy, oak-kissed palate with moderate, ever-so-green tannins and a bright, yet, lingering finish. Pair with charred meats to match the smokiness throughout the profile. Ready to go now. Drink now-2023.

Burrowing Owl Estate Winery 2018 Merlot - 90pts

Burrowing Owl Estate Winery 2018 Merlot (Black Sage Bench) Okanagan Valley - BC

Availability: Direct from the winery here
Cost: $32 + taxes
Alcohol: 14%
Date Tasted: March 27th, 2021
@BurrowingOwlBC

Tasting Notes: Both elegant and approachable, this Merlot captures the hot Okanagan sun and effortlessly combines its savoury, terroir and barrel flavours into a supremely enjoyable wine which can stand on its own as a juicy, refined sipper or as beautiful pairing for roasted or BBQ'd meats. Look for ripe berry, semi-dark chocolate, vanilla and licorice on the nose and palate and with a plethora of herbs'n'spice on the mouth-watering finish. Ready to go now or hold for 3-4 years. Drink 2021-2024.

River Stone Estate Winery 2018 Merlot - 89pts

River Stone Estate Winery 2018 Merlot (Oliver) Okanagan Valley - BC

Availability: Direct from winery here

Cost: $25.90

Alcohol: 13.9%

Date Tasted: September 11th, 2020

Tasting Notes: This Oliver sourced Merlot opens with a lovely, expressive, spice'n'everything nice nose. These feminine characteristics are followed by a more masculine palate, not one void of fruit, but decidedly more firm and edgy with earthy tones, a touch of mineral and meaty, toasted oak tannins. Perfect for late Summer BBQs. Drink now-2023.

Upper Bench Estate Winery 2017 Merlot - 88-89pts

Upper Bench Estate Winery 2017 Merlot (Naramata Bench) Okanagan Valley - BC

Availability: Direct from the winery here
Cost: $28 + taxes
Alcohol: 14.1%
Production: 451 cases
Date Tasted: August 10th, 2020

Tasting Notes: A masculine Merlot with an earthy, iron base and layers of cocoa nibs, black currant, vanilla, licorice and spices on the youthful nose and the uber-dry, dusty-tannin palate. Not quite ready, but nearly. If you can't wait another 1-2 years, then be sure to decant for several hours before enjoying with your lean beef or game dinner. Drink 2022-2025+.

Burrowing Owl Estate Winery 2017 Merlot - 90pts

Burrowing Owl Estate Winery 2017 Merlot (Black Sage Bench) Okanagan Valley - BC

Availability: Direct from the winery here
Cost: $32 + taxes
Alcohol: 14.8%
Date Tasted: April 9th, 2020
@BurrowingOwlBC

Tasting Notes: A supremely enjoyable and approachable Merlot with both impressive depth and concentration on its dark fruit/chocolate/licorice nose and its ripe, dark berry and vanilla/herbs/spice, hedonistic palate. Ready to go now or hold for 3-4 years. Drink 2020-2024.
- Liam Carrier ©copyright 2020 IconWines.ca

Quails' Gate Estate Winery 2017 Merlot - 87pts

Quails' Gate Estate Winery 2017 Merlot (West Kelowna) Okanagan Valley - BC

Availability: Direct from winery here and VQA stores
Cost: $29.99 + taxes
Alcohol: 15%
Production: 3785 cases
Date Tasted: November 5th, 2019

Tasting Notes: A dramatic, toasty-warm Merlot thanks to grippy, charred-oak tannins and a palate-coating level of alcohol (15%). A combination of savoury and fruit notes collide on the nose and palate. Look for black currant, wild berry and black cherry aromas and flavours contrasted by coffee grinds, licorice and tobacco. Ready to go now or hold for another 2-3 years with some mellowing of the tannins to be expected. Drink now-2022.
- Liam Carrier ©copyright 2019 IconWines.ca

Little Engine Wines 2018 Rosé - 90pts

Little Engine Wines 2018 Rosé (Naramata Bench) Okanagan Valley - BC

Availability: See winery for details here
Cost: $27 + taxes
Alcohol: 14.1%
Date Tasted: September 13th, 2019

Tasting Notes: A beautifully textured blush made of 78% Pinot Noir and 22% Merlot sourced from Naramata Bench vineyards and produced in the saignée method. Bright and tingly with some yeasty characters on the palate, look for a vibrant collection of rhubard, dried cranberry and citrus notes with a touch of herbs and light minerals. Pair with fried rice or noodle dishes, or enjoy on its own when the Sun shines next. Drink 2019-2020.

Mt. Boucherie Estate Winery 2017 Merlot - 87pts

Mt. Boucherie Estate Winery 2017 Merlot - BC VQA

Availability: Direct from winery here
Cost: $24.99 + taxes
Alcohol: 14.9%
Date Tasted: July 11th, 2019

Tasting Notes: Produced from fruit sourced from two sites in the Okanagan Valley and one in the Similkameen, this is a concentrated, ripe Merlot with both dark and red fruit characters and bright acidity. Missing smoothness mid-palate, jumping from the bold entry to the punchy, mouth-watering finish where notes of coffee grinds, toasted oak and a touch of spice linger. Pair with a dessert plate of dark chocolate or Brookside berries. Drink now-2021.
- Liam Carrier ©copyright 2019 IconWines.ca

Little Engine Wines 2017 Gold Merlot - 93-94pts

Little Engine Wines 2017 Gold Merlot (Naramata Bench) Okanagan Valley - BC

Availability: See winery for details here
Cost: $55 + taxes
Alcohol: 14.8%
Date Tasted: July 2nd, 2019

Tasting Notes: Warning: an overuse of the word 'yet' follows (a fitting, yet, fatigued way to structure a sentence attempting to group contrasting, yet, related points).

The Little Engine 'Gold Merlot' is an uber-elegant, yet, concentrated and perfectly ripe expression of the Bordeaux variety reminiscent of blending the styles of high-end Sonoma and Napa Valley Merlot. Full bodied, yet, effortless on the palate and approachable in its youth, yet, possessing the structure and 'bones' to age beautifully. Layers of delicate, sweet red fruit and savoury, baking notes grace the feminine nose and super refined, approachable palate. Enjoy now or hold for further development. Drink 2020-2025.

Rust Wine Co. 2018 Rosé - 86pts

Rust Wine Co. 2018 Rosé (Cawston) Similkameen Valley - BC

Availability: Direct from the winery here
Cost: $22 + taxes
Alcohol: 13.8%
Production: 224 cases (750ml), 120 cases (Magnums)
Date Tasted: June 27th, 2019

Tasting Notes: A blush of Cawston-sourced Merlot producing classic, Summer berry aromas and flavours with cran-apple acidity and texture and a touch of tannin from the skin contact during the crush. Nothing too complex and nothing out-of-place. A fine, versatile rosé for hot decks or a spicy bag of chips. Drink now-2020.
- Liam Carrier ©copyright 2019 IconWines.ca

Sterling Vineyards 2016 Vintner's Collection Merlot - 85pts

Sterling Vineyards 2016 Vintner's Collection Merlot - California State

Availability: Direct from winery here and BCLDB stores
Cost: $19.99 + taxes
Alcohol: 13.5%
Date Tasted: June 12th, 2019

Tasting Notes: A juicy, ripe Merlot with blackberry, black plum and sweet cassis aromas and flavours with nothing really out-of-sorts, yet, disappointingly structured rather Apothic-y with too much RS and too little depth and length. There are better budget Merlots out there. Drink now-2020.
- Liam Carrier ©copyright 2019 IconWines.ca

Charles Smith Wines 2016 The Velvet Devil - 86pts

Charles Smith Wines 2016 The Velvet Devil - Washington State

Availability: Direct from winery here and BCLDB stores
Cost: $16.99 + taxes
Alcohol: 13.5%
Date Tasted: June 11th, 2019

Tasting Notes: Opens with a warm embrace of uber-ripe blackberry and red currant fruit on the sensual nose and the slightly off-dry, slightly bright palate. Toasted oak notes support the juicy mid-palate, but disappear on the short finish. Drink now-2021.
- Liam Carrier ©copyright 2019 IconWines.ca

Painted Rock Estate Winery 2015 Merlot - 91pts

Painted Rock Estate Winery 2015 Merlot (Skaha Bench) Okanagan Valley - BC

Availability: Direct from the winery here upon release
Cost: $34.99 + taxes
Alcohol: 14.7%
Date Tasted: February 26th, 2019

Tasting Notes: True to the house style, Painted Rock's Merlot is a sensual, feminine wine with an appealing profile of ripe and tangy blackberry fruit, dark chocolate covered blueberries, vanilla macaron, light spice and herbs on the layered nose and the lifted, grippy palate.

The finish deserves its own paragraph even though you'll be done reading this long before the intense, mixed dark fruit, licorice and dark cocoa notes fade away. Though mouth-watering and brambly, at first, a wave of darkness emerges adding depth and delight.

Pair with a plate of your best dark chocolate or cocoa-rubbed filet mignon or enjoy this beautiful wine on its own. Ready to go now with a long decant, however, to make the most of your investment, give it another year in the bottle. Drink 2020-2022.
- Liam Carrier ©copyright 2019 IconWines.ca

Tinhorn Creek Vineyards 2016 Merlot - 88pts

Tinhorn Creek Vineyards 2016 Merlot (Black Sage Bench) Okanagan Valley - BC

Availability: Direct from winery here and BCLDB stores
Cost: $23.99 + taxes
Alcohol: 14%
Date Tasted: February 9th, 2019

Tasting Notes: A solid Merlot for all occasions with a pleasing, fruit-forward leaning balance of ripe, dark berry, dark cherry, tobacco, Nutella and sweet oak and spice characters. Dry, full bodied and lively with light, fine tannins and the perception of sweetness thanks to the prominent berry and cherry flavours. Ready to go now with your favourite BBQ dishes. Drink 2019-2021.
- Liam Carrier ©copyright 2019 IconWines.ca

Tinhorn Creek Vineyards 2015 Oldfield Reserve Merlot - 91pts

Tinhorn Creek Vineyards 2015 Oldfield Reserve Merlot (Black Sage Bench) Okanagan Valley - BC

Availability: (Not yet released) Direct from winery here
Cost: $28.99 + taxes (Est.)
Alcohol: 14.5%
Date Tasted: January 26th, 2019

Tasting Notes: An engaging, full-bodied, Okanagan Merlot with layers of sweet blossoms, savoury cured meats, roasted chestnuts, brambly berries, vanilla and a touch of mint and the dusty, rustic-tannin palate and the floral-steeped nose. Spice and cocoa show on the moderate-plus finish.

Supports its 14.5% alcohol beautifully and at nearly 4 years of age, this wine is ready to go now with Tinhorn having done all of the bottle ageing on your behalf. Enjoy on its own or pair with a Blue Cheese topped Rib-eye steak. Drink now-2022.
- Liam Carrier ©copyright 2019 IconWines.ca

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