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95POINTS
18/20
CheckMate Artisanal Winery Opening Gambit Merlot 2019
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaIn 2019 Gambit has stretched its legs mixing 88 percent merlot with 7 percent petit verdot, 4 percent cabernet franc, and one percent malbec. In my opinion, dropping the syrah has allowed this wine to soar to another height. The fruit comes off 27-year-old vines growing over a steep undulating slope on the Osoyoos East Bench, 330m to 437m above sea level, and pitching multiple expositions adding complexity to the pick. It is wild fermented and spends 21 months in new French oak barrels. As mentioned, the wine has an extra lift this year, a mix of black raspberries and cassis with a whiff of black forest cake on the nose. The palate is similar, with more cassis, blackberry, and cherry that fade into savoury, dark chocolate, and tobacco finish. Expect a richer, denser, fuller style that will age.Tasted: 10 January 2022Tasted by: Anthony GismondiPrices:| BC | $95.00 | 750ml | winery online/direct |
| BC | $220.00 | 1500ml | winery online/direct |
Grape: MerlotCSPC: 362684UPC: 776545803108
