90POINTS
16½/20
Upper Bench Merlot Estate Grown 2017
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaThere's some impressive merlot coming from the Naramata Bench, and this bottling from Upper Bench's estate on Upper Bench Road is certainly high on the list. It's led by spiced dark cherries with chocolate, menthol, and cedar. The oak is well integrated and there’s clearly the fruit weight and density to carry the 21 months in French barriques (33% new). Medium-full bodied, it's well balanced and proportioned, with impressive structure and freshness. The fine-grained tannins have just started to soften with some time in bottle and this will continue to age gracefully over the next 5-7 years. Bottled unfined and unfiltered. Only 84 cases produced.Tasted: 04 June 2021Tasted by: Geoffrey Moss MWPrices:BC | $40.00 | 750ml | winery direct, private wine shops |
Seacove Premium Wines and Spirits
Grape: MerlotCSPC: 673004UPC: 626990244899