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Anthony Gismondi on Wine
Vasanti Estate Merlottext
87POINTS
15¾/20

Vasanti Estate Merlot 2021

Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaParadise Block is home to this south Okanagan merlot made by winemaker Jason Parkes. Parkes is a rock musician and drummer, and his wines are typically dry and muscular. You see a bit of that here in this cranberry/cherry affair, but it is merlot, so there is some softness in the end. It is tightly wound and will require more time in the bottle before it is ready to drink. It's aged in a combination of French and American oak, adding another layer of weight. It could use more charm, but let's face it: 2021 was hardly a charming year. The grapes come from the Paradise Block inside Monarch Vineyards in Northern Oliver. The vineyard sits on the silts of the nearby Okanagan River and its floodplains. Pockets of the site are riddled with gravel, rock, and sand, allowing for drainage and helping to warm the area. It spends 19 months in 25% new American oak barrels and 75% in a combination of French and American neutral oak barrels.Tasted: 02 February 2024Tasted by: Anthony GismondiPrices:
BC$39.99750mlwinery online/direct
Producer: Vasanti Estate WineryDistributors: Winery Direct
Grape: MerlotUPC: 628942566264