2019 Lepp Embers Path Merlot

Production: 140 Cases
Availability: Winery direct and select restaurant accounts
Vintage: 2019
Variety or Blend: Merlot 100%
Vineyard Designation: Ember's Path Vineyard
Region: Niagara Lakeshore
Vine Age: 25 years
Soil: Lake Ontario Shoreline
Wine Style: Dry
Oak: 100% French Oak, 20% New Oak.
Alcohol Content: 13%
PH: 3.72
TA: 6.5 g/L
RS: <3.0 g/L
Ageing: Drink now through 2029
Serving Temperature: 14-18°C

Winemaking:

The 2019 Ember’s Path Merlot was harvested with excellent flavour and when the fruit was hanging clean on the vines.
We started by destemming 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 with our basket press, tasting at the press and then 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 18 months. Through tasting and blending trials, the Merlot is then taken out of barrels, when ready, and blended into tank to integrate as the final wine. This Merlot is special selected barrels who quality and balance was above and beyond all others. A light filtration is carried out before bottling.

Appearance:

Deep garnet with a ruby-coloured hue.

Aromas:

The nose has enticing dark fruit characters of plum, black currants, toasted cedar, leather, fig and notes of tobacco fill the
glass. Blackberries, blueberries, cherry and vanilla continue to tantalize your nose, followed by hints of black licorice and a sage bush earthy lift.

Palate:

Initially the wine presents a delicious, dark ripe fruit backbone along with depth and concentration. Matching the aromas on the
nose are notes of blackberries, plum, dates and spice. Earthy characters, hints of cedar and cigar box with a lift of red cherry and raspberry round out the elegant palate. This medium bodied merlot delivers fresh dark fruit flavours, underlying oak nuances and smooth tannin structure with a bright acidity with balanced alcohol. Lingering flavours of baked cherries, fig, leather and a hint of dried tea leaves hold through to a medium long finish.