I was walking out of the grocery store and they were tasting this one. Dark in color with mild nose. On the mid pallet this wine is dominated by BIG acidity and firm tannins and a very long finish. The fruit is totally overwhelmed. There are some black berries there but hard to tell. They had an aerator on the bottle and that should have been a dead give away. This wine needs either to breath significantly or age for a bit. Then maybe you might be able to taste some of the fruit. Wow …
From the Inniskillin web site:
2009 Core Series Meritage VQA Niagara Peninsula
Viticulture/Vinification
Each component of this blend was fermented at warm temperatures in contact with the skins for 14 days to extract colour and tannin followed by full malolactic fermentation to soften the wine’s acidity. The wines were then aged separately in new and older French and American oak barrels for 12 months to enhance its structure and aromatic complexity. The final blend was assembled after ageing.
Vintage Conditions
The 2009 Vintage was characterized by a cool, wet growing season which created a compressed harvest period beginning at the end of September and finishing in early November. The challenge of minimal sunshine reduced warmth but was managed by successfully reducing the fruit load to keep the quality high and achieve ripeness. The cool, wet summer allowed for cool climate grape varieties, including Chardonnay, Riesling and Pinot Grigio, to do well. September brought a welcomed Indian Summer with consistently sunny, warm days and cool evenings during the ripening period. This minimized disease pressure and helped to bring on the fruit and keep the quality high in all varieties. Look for wines from 2009 to reveal terroir, express pure fruit character and display great depth of colour in the reds.
Tasting Notes
Red berry, spice and vanilla are present on the nose of this blend. The palate is medium-full and approachable with red fruit and spice being the dominate flavours. The finish is clean and balanced showing the delicate spice and floral components of the wine.
From the LCBO web site for the 2008:
INNISKILLIN MERITAGE 2008 VINTAGES 91132 | 750 mL bottle Price: $ 15.95
Made in: Ontario, Canada By: Vincor International Inc.
Release Date: Feb 4, 2012
Wine, Red Wine 13.5% Alcohol/Vol.
Sweetness Descriptor: XD – Extra Dry
Tasting Note
Merlot-centred blend with aromas of currants, sour cherry, saddle leather, vanilla bean, spice and a touch of smoke. Dry with plenty of ripe fruit surrounded by gentle tannins and fresh acidity. Medium-full bodied with a lingering, fruity, soft-tannin finish. Can age 2-3 years, but is ready to drink tonight with gourmet sausages, steaks or grilled chicken. (VINTAGES panel, July 2011).
Check LCBO stock for the 2008 vintage.
