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90POINTS
16½/20
Bartier Bros. Merlot Cerqueira Vineyard 2014
Oliver, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaWinemaker Michael Bartier likes to wax lyrically about Cerqueira Vineyard and the Black Sage Gravel Bar (the best bench name in BC). The vineyard has a gentle west-facing slope. The soils are dense loam topsoil above gravel with limestone (calcium carbonate) covered granite, quartz, and basalt cobbles throughout a deep profile. Michael says “irrigation and ground water accept minerals from these rocks, and in turn, deliver these to the vines, causing a profound effect on the grapes.” The vines age nine to eleven years old. The result is some mighty fine merlot treading the stony/silky line with a pure, fresh savoury, black cherry salty fruit flavour, while assimilating the oak. Impressive and steak worthy. The grapes were harvested October 24 and 29 at 24 Brix. Maceration took place over 45 days in small open top stainless steel fermenters. Punch downs were used to extract the skins as gently as possible. The fermenters were pressed to tanks and then to barrels to complete fermentations. The barrels were racked twice over the next 12 months, and bottled January 2016.Tasted: 11 August 2017Tasted by: Anthony GismondiPrices:| BC | $21.99 | 750ml | BCLS |
| AB | $21.99 | 750ml | private wine shops |
Blend: Merlot - Cabernet FrancCSPC: 418673UPC: 628055147114
