Mayhem’s 2019 Cabernet Franc was brilliant with a 72% Merlot/28% Cabernet Franc blend. The 2020 version is 89% Merlot/11% Cabernet Franc. The 2020 was aged into 100% French oak barrels that were second fill and aged for 5 months at which time the final blend was assembled and transferred back into the barrel for an additional 6 months. The 2019 was aged in French oak barrels but 40% new and 60% seasoned for 11 months. I could add a few more differences but let’s stay with these. I would expect the 2019 to be a bit “flashier” due to the 40% new French oak. The 2020 has no new oak but a higher percentage of Merlot which might make it a bit lusher than the 2019.
On the nose the 2020 is indeed lusher than the 2019. There is cassis, blackberry black cherry and hints of dark chocolate. Is it flashy? I do not think so as it is so self absorbed with its Dean Martin personality it has no time to be flashy. Think of the 2020 as a convertible zipping along the Okanagan back roads with topless men with waxed chests and girls in bikinis listening to top 40 and the 2019 as slightly older couples in a Volvo listening to 60’s Sinatra.
On the palate the 2020’s fruit hits you like the film “Vulture City 2” on the edge of extreme. The 2019 is more restrained like “Vulture City”. Both good films of the same urban crime genre but different like these two wines. There is some blackberry, date, dark chocolate and spearmint in the 2020. The 2020 is muscular and a bit too young to drink. But the fundamentals are there and it will be more subdued in a couple of years. The 2020 would be a great wine at the VIP tent at the Calgary Stampede and the 2019 at a Bonnie Henry private dinner party provided she is wearing suitable footwear!
Don’t listen to me dissecting these two different wines. You’ll be happy as a pig in mud with the 19 now but in two years look out 19 as 20 (the young buck) is hot on your heels.
The 19 and 20 are the same price at $21.74 but the 20 is not quite ready for release yet.
(Mayhem 2020 Cabernet Merlot Okanagan Valley, BC VQA, Mayhem Wines, Okanagan Falls, British Columbia, $ 21.74,750 mL, 13.6%, Robert K. Stephen A Little Birdie Told Me So Rating 91/100).
Check out their website for ordering at https://www.mayhemwines.com/
And as an appreciation for you reading this review enjoy a free view of City of Vultures https://setthebarlifestyle.wordpress.com/2022/01/31/rks-film-city-of-vultures-2/?fbclid=IwAR2tE3jyIjZpYAHIE1gcVx7Ydd-qs07qWNLM4Y44krsLCnbjY_zEapzeosI
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