Top Canadian Merlots

(70 entries, 38 medals)

There was a healthy jump in entries this year, but a decrease in medals, perhaps due to more difficult red vintages (2008 and 2009) in Ontario. Historically, merlot is B.C.’s strongest red, at least among the Bordeaux varieties, and B.C. certainly dominates the silver and high-bronze medals, although missing a gold. Several judges voiced the same issue around merlot, voiced best by Halifax judge Heather Rankin: “Merlots are lacking that round, soft, approachable character. Most were too leafy, green, and the tannins were too aggressive. None screamed gold.” But, says Montreal judge Bill Zacharkiw, “Green is OK; it can turn minty and add freshness, but don’t over-extract. The best merlots were lighter-bodied.”

Merlot CWA Silver Medal Winners

Stag’s Hollow 2009 Renaissance Merlot, Okanagan Falls, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia $30

Jackson-Triggs Niagara 2009 Gold Series Merlot, Niagara-on-the-Lake, Niagara Peninsula, Ontario $25

Gray Monk 2009 Odyssey Merlot, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia $24

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

Merlot CWA Bronze Medal Winners

Nk’Mip 2009 Qwam Qwmt Merlot, Oliver, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia $27

Red Rooster 2009 Merlot, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia $19

Cattail Creek 2007 Reserve Merlot, Four Mile Creek, Niagara Peninsula, Ontario $39

Quails’ Gate 2008 Merlot, Westbank South, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia $25

Tinhorn Creek 2008 Oldfield Series Merlot, Oliver, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia $28

Hester Creek 2008 Reserve Merlot, Oliver, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia $27

Creekside 2007 Reserve Queenston Road Vineyard Merlot, St. David's Bench, Niagara Peninsula, Ontario $35

Jackson-Triggs Okanagan 2008 Gold Series Merlot, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia $27

Colaneri 2009 Pensieri Merlot, St. David's Bench, Niagara Peninsula, Ontario $30

Township 7 2008 Merlot, Oliver, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia $25

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

Painted Rock 2009 Estate Grown Merlot, Skaha Bench, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia $40

Sumac Ridge 2009 Black Sage Vineyard Merlot, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia $20

Nk'Mip 2008 Merlot, Oliver, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia $20

Peller Estates Okanagan 2009 Private Reserve Merlot, Similkameen Valley, British Columbia $20

Burrowing Owl 2008 Merlot, Oliver, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia $30

Red Rooster 2009 Reserve Merlot, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia $30

Neck Of The Woods 2009 Merlot, Oliver, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia $17

SpierHead 2009 Merlot, East Kelowna, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia $30

Quinta Ferreira 2008 Merlot, Oliver, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia $25

Intrigue 2009 Merlot, Summerland, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia $20

Mission Hill 2009 Reserve Merlot, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia $25

Cassini 2008 Nobilus, Oliver, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia $39

Painted Rock 2008 Estate Grown Merlot, Skaha Bench, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia $40 

Inniskillin Niagara 2009 Winemaker’s Series Two Vineyards Merlot, Niagara-on-the-Lake, Niagara Peninsula, Ontario $23

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

Seven Stones 2009 Row 128 Merlot, Similkameen Valley, British Columbia $25

Sandhill 2009 Sandhill Estate Vineyard Merlot, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia $20

Peller Estates Okanagan 2009 Family Series Merlot, British Columbia $14

Hillside Estate 2009 Taylor Vineyard Merlot, Naramata Bench, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia $25

Pentâge 2007 Merlot, Skaha Bench, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia $20

Moon Curser 2009 Merlot, Osoyoos, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia $25

Sandhill 2008 Small Lots Sandhill Estate Vineyard Block C8 Merlot, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia $35

Thirty Bench 2008 Small Lot Merlot, Beamsville Bench, Niagara Peninsula, Ontario $40