2020 Bella Terra Meritage 🔥 93+pts

From the time this wine was blended and sitting in barrels, it has been the most fascinating of the four big guns of the 2020 vintage from Bella Terra (Merlot, Cab Franc, Cab Sauv and Meritage).

Early on in barrel, it was tight, the tannins were aggressive, and the oak was up front, but deep down I knew this wine has something special. A delicate and elegant inside was there, like an “iron fist in a velvet glove.” Here we are now after bottling, and this wine is starting to shine, starting to deliver on its promise - and this is very exciting.

On the nose, aromas of cassis, plum, black cherry, cedar, vanilla and chocolate are now more expressive and shinning throughout. The palate is softer, rounder and prettier, offering flavours of blackberry, black cherry, cassis, fresh cut herbs, tobacco leaves and mocha, before the finish brings a great mix of spices and a hint of charcoal minerality. Another spectacular wine from a spectacular vintage. (Carl Boucher, Oct 1, 2022, re-tasted Aug. 12, 2024)

This wine is starting to be more approachable and has moved to the next level in terms of texture. It's developing into a silky, creamy and powerful wine with incredible depth and complexity. It still needs another year or two in bottle or a good decanting, but it is heading exactly into wine stardom! (Carl Boucher, re-tasted March 5, 2026).

2020 Bella Terra Meritage
ON, Niagara Peninsula, VQA Four Mile Creek
40% Cab Franc, 25% Cab Sauv, 25% Merlot, 10% Malbec | Dry | 14.9% ABV
93+pts Carl's Wine Club | 94pts Rick VanSickle

Food pairings: rib eye in red wine reduction
Drink now until 2032