Regular readers to this blog know I have a preconception of what a Merlot ought to taste like. And I am more often than not disappointed. Now add to that, I have never had a good Niagara Merlot and you have the making for a strong opinion. Now me and strong opinions are an oxymoron (NOT). So with all this in mind I bring you this review. Let me start out but saying HOLY CRAP. Ok, deep breath.
I had to go to three wine stores to find this one. Armed with two very favorable reviews of this wine I figured I had to give it a go. The wine is quite dark in color. On the nose are some mild black fruits. On the mid pallet are some lovely and luscious Merlot flavors. Eureka … There are some nice sweet fruit forward flavors typical of a Merlot. On the finish the wine has some tannins and out of the bottle a touch of pepper. It is medium to full bodied. It is quite dry on the finish but does not have pucker power. This wine is lovely and would earn the distinction of being THE best Niagara Merlot’s I’ve ever had and damn good Merlot to boot. Did I say HOLY CRAP already? Talk about bursting preconceptions. I love when this happens. I would give this a solid 90. I have no idea how well this will keep but I am quite impressed.
From the LCBO web site:
FEATHERSTONE ESTATE BOTTLED MERLOT 2007 VINTAGES 131540 | 750 mL bottle Price: $ 19.95
Wine, Red Wine, 12.5% Alcohol/Vol Sugar Content : D This is a VQA wine
Made in: Ontario, Canada By: Featherstone Estate Winery
Release Date: Oct 10, 2009
Tasting Note
This very well-made merlot shows good depth of flavour and fine fruit-acid balance. The concentrated fruit is ripe, well defined and complex, and the tannins are soft and easily manageable. It’s drinking well now and is good for short-term cellaring. Enjoy it with roasted red meats. Score – 4 Stars (out of 5). (Rod Phillips, www.rodphillipsonwine.com, July 30, 2009)
What winecurrent.com had to say:
Perfumed with exotic spice red licorice and field berry aromas it bathes the palate with well-sculpted luscious flavours. Expect succulent cherry black currant and black plum compote flavours persisting throughout the balanced lengthy and fruit-driven finish. Medium bodied and creamy smooth this deserves your attention. Its divine sipped on its own and food friendly”roast pork stuffed with dried cranberries leg of lamb with wine-reduction sauce or pour with your Thanksgiving bird and all the fixings. (Vic Harradine) Vintages release: March 2010 (131540) $19.95 Rating 4.5/5
