FEATURED WINE OF THE 12-WINES-OF-XMAS PACKAGE = WEEK FOUR VIRTUAL

Meritage is a name for red and white Bordeaux-style wines without infringing on the Bordeaux (France) region's legally protected designation of origin.

WINEMAKERS NOTES: The 2015 Meritage was blended in our nest tradition of producing some of the most celebrated and recognized Bordeaux style wines in Niagara. A truly bold and complex wine from an out of the ordinary vintage. After a long hang time and mild summer all Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot grape varietals were hand-harvested and sorted to ensure only the ripest berries were used. The grapes were then gently destemmed and left as whole berries while they underwent fermentation in small batches. During fermentation, tanks were hand plunged four times a day in consistent intervals to further the extraction of both colour and flavour. After fermentation each varietal was separately pressed and transferred into a mixture of older French (40%) and American (60%) oak barrels to complete malolactic fermentation and continue aging. After the wines were racked from the barrels, Winemaker John Tummon selected the blend ratio of 85% Cabernet Franc/ 8% Cabernet Sauvignon/ 7% Merlot blend to be the best for this vintage of Kacaba’s traditional Bordeaux style wine.

TASTING NOTES: An explosion of red and black fruit on the nose with hints of licorice nibs and vanilla. On the palate, ripe blackberry and red cherry aromas are joined by sweet spices, espresso and dark chocolate. e palate is well crafted with subtle minerality, refreshing acidity, balanced tannins and well-integrated with spicy oak notes. This full-bodied, plush wine shows medium warm tannins making it approachable now with decanting but shows great cellar potential.