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Anthony Gismondi on Wine
Hillside Merlot Gjoa Vineyardtext
90POINTS
16½/20

Hillside Merlot Gjoa Vineyard 2013

Naramata Bench, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaThe hand-harvested and sorted fruit comes off Gjoa's vineyard, just below Hidden Valley vineyard across the main Naramata road. The vines are just under 20 years old, and after a warm summer, the crop was able to hang until October 31 to gain maximum ripeness. Winemaking is simple: there is an eight-day cold soak followed by an extended 22 days on skins before malolactic fermentation in barrel (33 percent new French oak), and ageing for 16 months. At 13.8 percent alcohol, this classic Naramata mid-valley fruit is fresh and alive with plum and black cherry streaked with savoury and very spicy coffee/mocha notes. It's on the leaner side, suggesting in it will age with grace and grow in the bottle. Tannins are still grippy but should subside through 2022-23 as it hits the decade mark.Tasted: 05 March 2020Tasted by: Anthony GismondiPrices:
BC$40.00750mlwinery online
Producer: Hillside WineryDistributors: Lone Tree Cellars
Grape: MerlotCSPC: 166173UPC: 00626990115526