2018 Meritage

Production: 80 Cases

Availability: Winery direct and select restaurant accounts

Vintage: 2018

Variety or Blend: 24% Cabernet Sauvignon, 27% Merlot, 27% Cabernet Franc, 19.6% Malbec, 2.4% Petit Verdot

Vineyard Designation: Grower's series

Region: Niagara Escarpment

Vine Age: 7 years

Soil: Clay, soil and loam with limestone. Quite variable in sections.

Wine Style: Dry

Oak: 100% French Oak, 47% New Oak, aged for 16 months

Alcohol Content: 13.3%

PH: 3.5

TA: 6.3 g/L

RS: < 3 g/L

Ageing: Drink now through 2026

Serving Temperature: 14 - 18 degrees Celsius

Winemaking:

The 2018 Meritage was harvested with excellent flavour in each specific variety and when the fruit was hanging clean on the vines. We start by de-stemming all of the fruit and about 50% of the fruit is crushed, while the other 50% remains whole berry during a 5-7 day cold soak. After cold soaking, we warm up the fruit for alcoholic fermentation. Once alcoholic fermentation is complete and the tannin structure is right, we gently press each batch of wine off of the skins and pump it to a settling tank. After settling, each batch of wine is put into specially selected barrels for malolactic fermentation and aging. The wine is sulphured
in barrel to preserve the character and fruit and continues to age with careful monitoring for 16 months. Through tasting and blending trials, each variety or batch of wine is then taken out of barrels, and blended into tank to integrate for the final wine. This Meritage is made from special selected barrels who quality and balance was integrated, elegant and best for blending to create this small batch wine. A light filtration is carried out before bottling.

Appearance:

Opaque garnet with a fuchsia hue.

Aromas:

A seductive nose of sweet black fruits lift out of the glass. Blackberry, cassis, raspberry jam, new leather and baking spice follow. currants, leather and baking spice follow. Underlying hints of espresso, vanilla and subtle floral notes tantalize your nose.

Palate:

Fruit flavours of Blackberries, black cherries, leather and dates are on the forefront of the palate.   A concentrated and ripe, medium-bodied blend with a textured mid-palate of vanilla, toasted hazelnuts, liquorice and cocoa.  The round smooth layered tannins and fresh acidity provide a slightly lean structured focus all the way to the med-long finish.  A wine to drink with red meats or game meats.