Vanessa Vineyard 2014 Meritage 750ml

The 2014 growing season was a dream in the Similkameen with an early, dry start, a pleasant summer with no huge heat spikes, and a temperate, cool nights warm days, autumn. The fruit arrived in pristine condition, a couple weeks ahead of the average pick dates. In 2014 it amounted o 1920 Growing Degree Days versus an average closer to 1700. The nose is particularly improved with clean fragrant black fruits and broken stones. The attack is rich but not overpowering, with spicy and savoury rich dark fruit flavours and spice. The finish is long and persistent with firm, dry tannins and some of that 40 percent new French and American oak poking through, flecked with coffee, toast and chocolate. Hedonistic and rich, this will reward cellaring for the next five to seven years. If you can’t wait lamb, game or grilled beef would be the early match.

Score: 89 points -- Anthony Gismondi, Oct 2018