Oliver, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaWinemaker Michael Bartier is a big hockey fan, and this merlot with a dash of cabernet franc is an ode to the curved stick that transposed hockey to another level, something Bartier has been doing with wine in the south Okanagan. The ’22 is deep and dark with savoury, resiny black fruit lined with green pepper streaks and firm tannins. At just under 14%, it is as warm as the Bartier reds get. Youthful and dry in the back end, this needs time in the bottle to come together and let the vintage show through, or a rare-ish grilled steak now.Tasted: 22 March 2025Tasted by: Prices:
Oliver, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaFrom Oliver's Black Sage Terrace, this blend of 51% cabernet franc, 48% petit verdot, and 1% pinot noir was destemmed, crushed and fermented over 3 weeks in stainless, before aging 14 months in neutral French barrels. Grilled meats, smoked cassis, and thorny blackberry work their way through the chewy palate, with powdery tannins pinning in the sides, and espresso lingering. One for the BBQ: think hearty burgers, or ribs.Tasted: 21 April 2025Tasted by: Prices:
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