Monster Merlot 2014 by Poplar Grove 750ml

TASTING NOTES
Poplar Grove's second label, Monster Vineyards are wines that are as easy to drink as they are fun. The Merlot follows the previous vintage and leads with dark chocolate cherries and plum cake underscored with vanilla, fennel seed, sweet spice and coffee. It's an affable wine, supple, generous and approachable with similar black fruit and mocha layered with oak spice and vanilla. There's just enough fine tannin to sink your teeth into.

VINEYARD NOTES
Finally in 2013, Mother Nature offered us a break from the previous few years of difficult and challenging vintages. The 2013 winter was fairly mild. An early and warm spring saw the vines bud two weeks prior to normal average. The glorious hot spell that arrived for May long weekend found us barely able to keep up with the growth in the vineyards. Our Osoyoos vineyard Chardonnay vines started flowering in early June and berry set took place in a record three days. The rest of the vines followed in succession. July proved to be a winner when it came to temperature and intensity. These great growing conditions continued until mid-September when it cooled down significantly. Picking of the fruit was done at peak ripeness and flavour intensity. Overall, 2013 will go on record as a top vintage.

FOOD PAIRING NOTES
Pair it with burgers, pizza, ribs or chili or Camembert cheese.

--Winemaker