Burrowing Owl Merlot 2021 - Canada

Burrowing Owl is one of Canada's best known estates, and for good reason! Jim Wyse purchased the vineyard in 1993, carefully selected for its potential to produce high quality grapes, and immediately began to replant the vineyards. Ever since their first vintage the estate's wines have been sought after.

Merlot grapes were hand-harvested from Burrowing Owl Vineyards’ blocks in Oliver and Osoyoos between October 1st and 19th. They were sorted by hand, destemmed and then gently crushed before being gravity-fed into stainless tanks for a cold soak (3 days) and vinification (14 days). Wine was then moved into barrels for malolactic fermentation followed by 15 months of ageing.

A textural and alluring combination of ripe mixed berries, fruitcake, black cherry and fresh raspberry with savoury notes of burlap, sage, vanilla and dried rose petals. The full-bodied palate, crisp acidity with round medium tannins shows cocoa and dark chocolate, dried blueberries, mint, paprika, hazelnut and pie crust along with the mixed berry fruit. Pair this with Tourtière, stewed eggplant with puy lentils or roast beef with red wine demi-glace. .