Cabernet Merlot 2009
Released: September 2011
Colour: Mid crimson with violet hues.
Bouquet: Cherry, blackberry, plums, cassis, mint, eucalyptus, anise, vanilla notes.
Palate: Layers of dark berries, cherry make for a savoury mid-palate followed by a solid finish.
Food Pairings: Dark chocolate, roast lamb, smoked meats and bbq’d steaks.
Cases Produced
Cases Remaining Online
Harvest Notes
Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot normally ripens late into the growing season. The 2009 vintage was no different with all the Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot being harvested in mid to late October. Picking was completed under cool temperatures. The majority of the Merlot for this blend was picked mid-October from our contract growers Vineyards in the hot climate regions of Oliver and Osoyoos. A small percentage comes from a contract grower in Naramata, which adds some tannin structure to the wine. In the 2009 vintage we blended in 10 percent Petit Verdot to give the wine an extra fruit characteristic.
Winemaking
All lots of fruit were picked and vinified separately. Each parcel of fruit underwent sorting before and after de-stemming. After de-stemming the whole berries are transferred to a stainless steel tank where the fruit would undergo an intentional cold soak. During this cold soaking phase the cap is punched down twice a day. This process continues into fermentation. Once fermentation is complete the must is kept warm and is pressed off. The free run (un-pressed juice) goes into tank while the pressings are pressed straight into wood. The pressings and free run are both inoculated with malo lactic bacteria to convert the sharp tasting malic into a smoother lactic acid. The wine is then aged in barrel for 15 -20 months and only goes through one racking during that period. This year we blended some Petit Verdot into the blend. At only 10% of the overall blend; the Petit Verdot softened the eucalyptus (Cab Sauv) character and brought the wine together by lowering the acidity and promoting some blackberry characters in the wine.
Red Wine of the Year - All Canadian Wine Championships 2011
Gold - All Canadian Wine Championships 2013
Gold - OWFS Fall 2007
Gold - All Canadian Wine Championships 2006
Silver - Canadian Wine Awards 2012
Silver - All Canadian Wine Championships 2010
Silver - Canadian Wine Awards 2010
Best Canadian Red - International Value Wine Awards 2006
Best Red Blends - International Value Wine Awards 2006
Highly Recommended - OWFS Spring 2005
Bronze - BC Wine Awards 2012
Bronze - Canadian Wine Awards 2008
Bronze - OWFS Fall 2008
Bronze - Canadian Wine Awards 2007
Bronze - OWFS Fall 2006
