2021 Intersection "Silica" Unfiltered Merlot | 92pts

BC, Okanagan Valley, VQA Golden Mile Slopes

100% Merlot | Dry (RS 0.43g/L) | 15.4% ABV

92pts Carl's Wine Club

Terroir lovers, take note! Silica is the brother to Alluvia, two Merlots made by Intersection showcasing two sides of the same vineyard. The soils on the Silica side of the vineyard are sandier, while the Alluvia soils are rockier. For 2021, Silica displays a New World profile with big and bold fruits and expressive tannins. Fermented in tanks for 4 weeks, this wine was transferred to French oak barrels for a lengthy 18 months, highlighted with 30% new barriques. The nose is black cherry, blackberry, cassis, blueberry jam, mocha and tobacco. The palate is round, expressive, and muscular, offering notes of dark fruits like blackberry, black cherry, and black cherry compote, and a bit of dark licorice. The finish is sticky, satisfying, and lingers with a good mix of cloves, black and white pepper, and a little hint of mint. Silica will most likely reach it’s prime before Alluvia for the 2021 vintage. (Carl Boucher, January 2, 2025).

285 cases made.

Food pairings: prime rib, slow roasted lamb shoulder

Drink between: 2024 to 2030

Winery Price: $32 plus tax and deposit