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Anthony Gismondi on Wine
CheckMate Artisanal Winery End Game Merlottext
93POINTS
17¼/20

CheckMate Artisanal Winery End Game Merlot 2016

Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaEnd Game comes off two warm, southwest-facing benches along the valley's eastern side: Osoyoos East Bench and the Black Sage Bench sitting at +300 metres. The soils are mostly sandy, but the rolling hillsides of vines result in multiple expositions, giving McGahan a wide selection of flavours and styles to use in his blends. The fermentation is wild, and it's finished in the barrel where the wine remains in contact with its skins for 50+ days, building texture, the complexity of flavour, and purity of fruit. The finished wine is aged 21 months in 100 percent oak. 2016 is brilliant from its sagebrush dusted black and red currant fruit, sensational silky textures, and vibrant finish. Low cropping and a long, cool finish to the growing season have resulted in a vibrant, intense, multi-layered merlot, and it is just a baby. If you want to try it now, I suggest grilled meat is the match; otherwise, cellar ageing through 2022 is highly recommended.Tasted: 04 February 2020Tasted by: Anthony GismondiPrices:
BC$85.00750mlwinery direct, wine club members
BC$196.001500mlwinery direct, wine club members
BC$439.00750mlwinery direct, wine club members
BC$989.006000mlwinery direct, wine club members
Producer: CheckMate Artisanal WineryDistributors: Mark Anthony Wines and Spirits
Grape: MerlotCSPC: 752683UPC: 776545800381