2014 Merlot
1 In Stock
Wine Specs
Vintage
2014
Varietal
Merlot
Appellation
Okanagan Valley
Acid
6.3
pH
3.73
Aging
7-10 years
Residual Sugar
3.0
Alcohol %
14.3
Wine Profile
Tasting Notes
This full bodied Merlot was made to showcase the ripe varietal fruit character expressive of our rocky/gravelly terroir. This wine is presently showing dark berry notes that include black cherry, sweet black berry, black current, and plum with a hint of French oak. It has a medium body, balanced acidity and moderate tannins that are softening nicely with age.
Vineyard Notes
2014 was another amazing year in the vineyard, similar to 2012 with and early bud break (April 25) and good early heat followed by a long growing season. The grapes for this single vineyard Merlot were grown on our estate vineyard, River Rock Vineyards, which surrounds our winery in Oliver BC. The vines were in their 11th leaf when the fruit was harvested. Vineyard are all on south facing slopes where soils are composed of rock, sand, and gravel laid down during the last glacial recession.
Production Notes
This 2014 Merlot was fermented in both stainless steel tanks (2200 and 2850 litre) and small fermentation totes to maximize skin to juice contact. The wine was transferred, following pressing, to a 5000 litre tank to settle then transferred to barrels where malolactic fermentation was completed. Wine was aged in French oak barrels (33% new) for approximately 14 months.
Winemaker Notes
This full bodied Merlot was made to showcase the ripe varietal fruit character expressive of our rocky/gravelly terroir. This wine is presently showing dark berry notes that include black cherry, sweet black berry, black current, and plum with a hint of French oak. It has a medium body, balanced acidity and moderate tannins that are softening nicely with age.
Food Pairing Notes
This is a big, juicy Merlot for the Okanagan Valley. Lots of complexity with tannins that are present but not overpowering. Great balance of fruit, acid and tannin in this offering from a great vintage.You will want to enjoy this juicy merlot with a rich Alberta beefsteak off the barbeque with some Poplar Grove Tiger Blue cheese and a little apricot chutney. The perfect match!
Production
533 cases produced
Other Notes
Critic Review:
"River Stone's 2014 Merlot should be on everyone's list this year as a very affordable well-made bottle of red. Pure red currant on the nose with an easy to love palate. Fine balance between tannins and acids make this very versatile. Good stuff."
-Brad Royale, Wine Align (July 2017)
Product Reviews
Marian Pozzolo
(Apr 26, 2017 at 11:20 AM)
Delicious wine, a Merlot that drinks like a Merlot. Great value!
dave levesque
(Nov 27, 2017 at 3:18 PM)
great value for the money, a very good example of a Okanagan Merlot
Jean-Francois Paris
(Dec 28, 2017 at 1:41 PM)
Well balanced merlot
Gabrielle & Earl Simpson
(May 23, 2018 at 8:42 AM)
Very smooth tasting, good wine to pair with steak
Cheryl Lynn Thorsen
(Jul 5, 2018 at 9:03 AM)
I 1stbtriednyour wines through,"I love okanagan wines". So glad, as I love your wine. The merlot is my favorite. Hence my online orders through you now.