2020 Leaning Post Merlot 🔥 94+pts

ON, VQA Niagara Peninsula
100% Merlot | Dry | 14.5% ABV
94+pts Carl’s Wine Club | 94pts Rick VanSickle

OMG… this Merlot is an absolute stunner! Bold, rich, concentrated, with an impressive structure on full display. The hot and dry 2020 vintage was perfect to highlight all of the best characteristics of Merlot, and Ilya was able to showcase the full spectrum and more. On the nose, you’ll discover very complex and expressive aromas of ripe dark fruits like black cherry and blackberry, dark chocolate, pencil lead, leather and a hint of dried sage. The palate is soft, suave, textural and fantastically layered. On the front palate: flavours of dark cherry, crushed raspberry and blue plum. The mid palate delivers some elements of smoked meat, dark chocolate, violets and a hint black olive. The back palate and the finish are well in sync with a generous offer of black licorice, charcoal-like sensations and a long, mouth-watering finish with loads of oak spices. If you lay this bottle down for the next 6 years, you can expect a world class experience when you pop the cork. (Carl Boucher, November 23, 2024).  400 cases made.
 
Pairings: prime rib and red wine reduction, sticky baby-back ribs
Drink now until 2030
Winery Direct Price: $51.20 all in