Cabernet Merlot 2022, 13th Street Winery

Description from the Producer

VQA Ontario

Tasting Notes: Dark purple in the glass, it has an intense nose of dried blueberry, black cherry, vanilla, charred oak, and milk chocolate. On the palate, it is rich and full-bodied with smooth, young tannins and flavours of black cherries, blueberry compote, cassis dark chocolate, peppercorns, warm spice, and a touch of smoky oak. The finish is long with drying tannins and lingering acidity.

Enjoy with spice-rubbed grilled or roasted meats, aged cheeses, BBQ ribs with pomegranate glaze, and smoked or BBQ vegetables. Drinking well on release but show further complexities with a few years in the cellar. Enjoy now or age 3-5 years.

Vintage Notes: In 2022, a polar vortex swept through Niagara late January, leading to record lows in temperature. The cold persisted through much of the first quarter causing the growing season to be slightly delayed (Bud break recorded May 17th). Upon the arrival of spring, temperatures reverted to seasonal averages causing rapid growth within the vineyard. Conditions throughout the summer were warm and dry with little precipitation leading to full phenolic maturity across all varieties. Harvest began in early September with Chardonnay for sparkling. Followed by aromatic whites and lighter reds such as Riesling and Gamay in late September through early October. Later ripening reds such as Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc were harvested mid-November concluding harvest. Conditions throughout harvest were favourable consisting mostly of dry, warm days and cool nights with little precipitation. Overall quality was good to excellent, but yields were very low.