Ah Merlot, the wine vilified in Sideways ! With my issues with having preconceived definitions of what a Merlot ought to taste like it’s to wonder why I bother … Onto the wine. It’s quite dark in color with a mild merlot bouquet, some plums. On the mid pallet there are some mild merlot like flavors. Not a boisterous one by any stretch but they are there. On the finish the wine has some firm tannins but not overwhelming. The wine has a long finish and as it starts to build in the mouth to it’s final bow there are some bitter tastes consistent with a lot of Okanagan wines. I would not say the bitterness is terrible, but it is there. Breathing helped a little but not a lot. I am not convinced aging would help much but it might. All in all Okanagan wines and terroir often end up with some distinctive bold tastes and this one is no exception. Not a bad wine at all.
Update: On the second day the bitterness on the finish is largely gone, however, so is the distinctive Merlot flavors … Now it’s tasting more like a cab.
From the LCBO web site:
SUMAC RIDGE BLACK SAGE VINEYARD MERLOT 2006 VQA Okanagan Valley This supple Merlot comes from the Black Sage vineyard and shows why wines from this property are so desirable. Aged in a combo of French and American oak for 18 months this latest Merlot is brimming with ripe black fruit licorice smoke mocha and savoury herbs. Dry medium full-bodied with a round texture and enough tannins to balance the soft fruit flavours it should be enjoyed with grilled lamb chops or roasted pork tenderloin. 593053 $19.95 Featured 9/26/2009
