CWA 2010: Merlot

(60 entries, 39 medals)

B.C. owns merlot in Canada, taking all the golds and silvers, and most of the bronze medals, too. The medal ratio is also high, signifying that B.C. winemakers are finding good depth and fruit definition and using less oak. “Good, serviceable, drinkable merlots,” said Sid Cross. “But most are still lacking that plummy, delicious varietal definition.” Comments about over-extracted, tannic and joyless reds echoed often in the early flights. “Try a little tenderness,” said Bill Zacharkiw. But there was salvation when the best were re-tasted in the final rounds. “Not my favourite varietal in Canada, but some better wines with good tannin management have emerged,” said Tony Aspler.

Gold

CedarCreek 2007 Platinum Merlot, Oliver, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia     $35

Sandhill 2007 Sandhill Estate Vineyard Small Lots Single Block C8 Merlot, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia     $35

Jackson-Triggs Okanagan 2006 SunRock Vineyard Merlot, Oliver, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia     $30

Silver

Stag’s Hollow Winery 2007 Stag’s Hollow Vineyard Merlot, Okanagan Falls, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia     $25

Mount Lehman 2008 Reserve Merlot, Osoyoos, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia     $35

Painted Rock 2007 Merlot, Skaha Bench, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia    $40

CedarCreek 2008 Merlot, Oliver, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia     $20

Gray Monk 2008 Odyssey Merlot, Oliver, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia,     $24

Poplar Grove 2006 Merlot, Naramata Bench, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia,     $30

Ruby Tuesday 2008 Grand Reserve Merlot, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia     $40

Mission Hill 2007 Reserve Merlot, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia     $25

Church & State 2007 Coyote Bowl Merlot, Oliver, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia     $30

Nk’Mip Cellars 2007 Qwam Qwmt Merlot, Oliver, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia     $27

Blasted Church 2008 Merlot, Okanagan Falls, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia     $26

Cassini Cellars 2008 Nobilus Merlot, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia     $39

Hester Creek 2008 Merlot, Oliver, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia     $17

Bronze

Tinhorn Creek 2007 Oldfield Series Merlot, Oliver, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia     $25

Van Westen Vineyards 2007 Vivre la Vie, Naramata Bench, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia     $27

Thornhaven Estates 2008 Merlot, Summerland, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia     $25

Red Rooster Winery 2008 Reserve Merlot, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia     $30

Rosewood 2008 Renaceau Vineyard Reserve Merlot, Beamsville Bench, Niagara Peninsula, Ontario     $36

Sandhill 2008 Sandhill Estate Vineyard Merlot, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia     $20

Ganton & Larsen Prospect Winery 2008 Major Allen Merlot, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia     $15

Seven Stones 2008 Row 128 Merlot, Similkameen Valley, British Columbia     $25

Therapy Vineyards 2008 Merlot, Oliver, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia,     $22

Jackson-Triggs Niagara 2007 Delaine Vineyard Merlot, Niagara-on-the-Lake, Niagara Peninsula, Ontario     $27

Tawse 2007 David’s Block Merlot, Twenty Mile Bench, Niagara Peninsula, Ontario     $45

Quails’ Gate Winery 2006 Merlot, Westbank South, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia     $25

Nk’Mip Cellars 2007 Merlot, Oliver, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia     $20

Tinhorn Creek 2008 Merlot, Oliver, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia     $18

Silkscarf 2007 Merlot, Summerland, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia     $27

Orofino Vineyards 2008 Oak Knoll Vineyard Red Bridge Red, Similkameen Valley, British Columbia     $25

Oliver Twist 2007 Proprietor’s Reserve Merlot, Oliver, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia     $24

Nk’Mip Cellars 2008 Qwam Qwmt Merlot, Oliver, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia     $27

Magnotta 2007 Limited Edition Merlot, Niagara Peninsula, Ontario     $20

Kacaba Vineyards 2007 Reserve Merlot, Niagara Escarpment, Niagara Peninsula, Ontario     $43

Burrowing Owl 2007 Merlot, Oliver, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia     $30

Stag’s Hollow Winery 2007 Renaissance Merlot, Okanagan Falls, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia     $30

See more results from the Wine Access 2010 Canadian Wine Awards