As for outstanding Ontario Merlot about the only one that turns my crank is Merlot from Niagara-on-the-Lake’s Two Sisters but not being a cardiologist or a captain of industry can you afford $57.80 for a bottle of their Merlot?
Ontario Merlot may be suitable for blending but then is blending with a less than stellar grape what could the product of such blending amount to? By way of analogy would you cook with a wine you wouldn’t drink?
Aged in 100% French oak from Tonnellerie Sirgue-Nuits Saint Georges, 25% new for 10 months. 499 cases were produced.
Featherstone Estate Winery in Niagara makes a world class Rosé so throwing caution and experience to the wind I venture to determine how they handle Merlot.
Aroma: An attractive melange of blackberry, black cherry, black raspberry, rhubarb and a smidge of chocolate. A light hand with the oak.
Palate: An intriguing light touch of Ginja D’Òbidos complimented by a splash of Niagara cherry. Smooth tannins with a moderate and high-toned finish. A very good Niagara Merlot at a regular folk price. I sense that many camouflage Niagara Merlot weakness with terroir as an excuse. With this Featherstone Red Tail Merlot I venture to agree it proudly reflects its terroir. I am giving it an honorary key to my cellar.
Personality: If I were an opera singer think of me as Maria Callas. I will let your brain probe that analogy!
Food Match: Have a good laugh when I say the wine will pair with a cod curry prepared with Japanese Glico or S&B curry paste. I discovered a subliminal match by accident and I don’t regret that!
Cellarbility: Give it until 2024-year end and just maybe until 2025 year-end to consume it by.
Price: $19.95 CDN (Ontario).
RKS 2023 Wine Rating: 90/100. Rick VanSickle 92.
(Featherstone 2021 Red Tail Merlot, VQA Niagara Peninsula, Featherstone Estate Winery, Vineland, Ontario, 750 mL, 13%).
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