Mayhem 2021 Anarchy Merlot 750ml

From the silty sands of their Osoyoos estate Anarchist Mountain Vineyard, this merlot (tipped with 3% cabernet franc) was destemmed with a 5 day cold soak before native ferment and 35 days on skins. The free run juice was aged in French oak (45% new) over 17 months, and was bottled unfined and unfiltered. Ripe and sultry black plums, wild blackberry, black cherry, dark chocolate fill the juicy, compact palate, with chalky tannins, and kisses of downy violet perfume. Though full bodied, this textural wine is very well handled, with a lingering dark cocoa dust, and easy mountain freshness. The Diam10 cork suggests the winery thinks this one is for aging, and while very tasty now, I think it can certainly rest comfortably in your cellar over the next few years.

Score: 91 points -- Treve Ring, Gismondi On Wine