2022 Black Market “Zoetermeer Vineyard” Merlot 🔥 93pts

BC, Okanagan Valley, Kaleden
100% Merlot | Dry (2.8 g/L RS) | 13.6% ABV
93pts Carl's Wine Club

Absolutely WOW. A new addition to the Black Market portfolio, this single-vineyard Merlot comes from the Zoetermeer Vineyard, located just minutes from the winery. On the nose, aromas of red and black fruits, leafy herbs, cedarwood, and earthy white truffle emerge beautifully. Medium to full-bodied, this wine offers a rich, pure, and layered mouthfeel with an elegant texture, solid balance, and outstanding length. The palate unfolds in a stunning sequence of blue plum, cassis, strawberry jam, black currant, dark chocolate, and sweet tobacco leaves, leading to a bold finish with a generous hit of cracked black pepper. The tannins are still sticky and slightly aggressive, but this aspect should soften over the next two years. Give this wine a 30-minute decant, and you’ll experience the pure magic of Okanagan Merlot. (Carl Boucher, February 23, 2025). 85 cases made.

Food pairings: beef roast and roots vegetable in red wine sauce, grilled lamb chops.
Drink between 2026 and 2032