2021 Merlot
In Stock
Site selection and sound viticulture practises are essential to producing quality Merlot. Sourced from Parsons and Stag's Hollow Vineyards, both west-facing, our Merlot is full of plummy, velvety richness, along with depth and structure. Enjoyable now but has the abaility to age gracefully in the cellar for years to come.
Wine Specs
Vintage
2021
Varietal
Merlot
Harvest Date
Oct 2021
Acid
5.7 g/L
pH
3.5
Aging
Now and over the next 2 years.
Bottling Date
June 2023
Residual Sugar
3 g/L
Alcohol %
13.8
Wine Profile
Tasting Notes
A bright, fruit-forward nose of red and dark berry fruit, with hints of fragrant cedar and wild desert sage. Cherry and red berry fruits dominate the wine’s mid weight palate and marry very well with soft ripe tannins and subtle oaky notes. The wine finishes with bright acidity and a pleasant savoury note.
Vineyard Notes
Parsons Vineyard, Skaha Bench Sub-GI
Stag’s Hollow Vineyard, Okanagan Falls Sub-GI
Production Notes
The fruit was hand-harvested, bunch sorted and destemmed. Approximately 75% of the berries were left whole and uncrushed. After a 3 day cold soak, the must was warmed and inoculated with selected yeast culture. The cap was punched down by hand 3 times daily and at the ideal tannin extraction, the must was drained of free run juice and the skins were lightly pressed. The wine continued its alcohol fermentation in French oak (40% new) through to dryness and then proceeded through Malolactic conversion. It was left to mature undisturbed for 18 months before being blended, lightly filtered and bottled.
Winemaker Notes
This Merlot comes from our estate vineyard and from our beautiful west-facing Parsons Vineyard on the Skaha Bench. Sharing a similar aspect to our Estate vineyard, this block produced some exceptional Merlot in 2021; especially given that it was only the second crop to come off of it (4th leaf). We love to show off the juicy side of Merlot with this wine, but it certainly isn’t lacking for structure and concentration either. A wonderfully-expressive medium-bodied wine that demonstrates what a great site this is proving to be across the board.
Food Pairing Notes
Classic: charcuterie, roast beef, game pies, grilled meat (steak, sausage, etc.), burgers, turkey dinner, lamb, stews, chilli con carne.
Adventurous: Japanese-style beef dishes, Chinese crispy duck, macaroni & cheese, bacon & eggs.
Other Notes
425 cases produced