Mission Hill Family Estate
Reserve Okanagan Valley Merlot
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, Canada
When in the Great White North, one eats poutine and Alberta beef and drinks bold reds from the Okanagan Valley recommended by the friendly cashier. Brings to mind Columbia Valley Merlot, but on steroids in terms of the concentration of the color and intensity of the tannins (rustic, dusty), flavors and aromas reflecting the high, dry dessert UV intensity and long growing season sunlight hours (still light here in Canmore after 10pm). More dark fruit (blackberry, black currant, black plum—some raisened/craisen notes, but mostly ripe and fresh) and herbal character (menthol, thyme, resin) than I normally find in Merlot that makes this wine really intriguing and distinctive. I think I’ll have a second glass…
When in the Great White North, one eats poutine and Alberta beef and drinks bold reds from the Okanagan Valley recommended by the friendly cashier. Brings to mind Columbia Valley Merlot, but on steroids in terms of the concentration of the color and intensity of the tannins (rustic, dusty), flavors and aromas reflecting the high, dry dessert UV intensity and long growing season sunlight hours (still light here in Canmore after 10pm). More dark fruit (blackberry, black currant, black plum—some raisened/craisen notes, but mostly ripe and fresh) and herbal character (menthol, thyme, resin) than I normally find in Merlot that makes this wine really intriguing and distinctive. I think I’ll have a second glass…
Jul 16th, 2022