Mature, woven, savoury.
All five varieties (Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cab Franc, Petit Verdot, Malbec) were harvested by hand from Burrowing Owl's estate vineyards. The best barrels of each single varietal wine were selected for the blend. After the components were combined, they were barreled for another three and a half months and then bottled and left to mature further in a temperature-controlled environment before release.
Notes of muddled blackberry, cherry and cassis are layered with vanilla, licorice, pipe tobacco, sage, brown spice and cedar chest. The palate highlights the same muddled red and black fruit as the nose suggests, along with charred tobacco, leather and smoked paprika. Fresh and nicely woven with some mid-palate chew thanks to the tannins. Shows maturity.
©copyright 2022 Daenna Van Mulligen
Wine Scores Reviewed - April 6th, 2022

Fragrant, supple, earthy.
This Merlot was harvested from estate vineyards in Oliver and Osoyoos, was put through a malolactic (second) fermentation and matured in a mix of French, Hungarian and American oak barrels for 14 months.
Red plums and black raspberry, cedar, olives, pipe tobacco, baking spices and vanillin oak aromas lead to an earthy and textural palate. Flavours of cocoa dusted black raspberries and espresso dominate the palate. It has an overall suppleness but with a little 'chew' to the tannins.
©copyright 2022 Daenna Van Mulligen
Wine Scores Reviewed - October 1st, 2022

Supple, structured, fragrant.
This Merlot was harvested from estate vineyards in Oliver and Osoyoos, was put through a malolactic (second) fermentation and matured in oak barrels for 14 months.
These later vintages are so much more deftly handled when it comes to oak use and it shows. Aromas of grilled plums and smoked paprika, black cherries, spices, chocolate, pipe tobacco, vanilla and dusty earth appear on the nose. The palate is supple and savoury and laden with generous black fruit, mocha and leather. Good overall structure, harmony and balance with a long finish.
©copyright 2021 Daenna Van Mulligen
Wine Scores Reviewed - March 19th, 2021

Toasted, cocoa, fresh.
This Merlot was harvested from estate vineyards in Oliver and Osoyoos, was put through a malolactic (second) fermentation and matured in a mix of French, Hungarian and American (although mostly French) oak barrels (60% neutral) for about 16 months.
A plush nose delivers spice cake aromas are melded with candied plums, dried cherries, licorice, chocolate and vanilla. Less opulent than the nose, the palate leads with dusty plum and toasted spice, espresso and carob. Fine cocoa tannins linger; good substance and freshness here.
©copyright 2022 Daenna Van Mulligen
Wine Scores Reviewed - March 2nd, 2022

Savoury, brooding, meaty.
This Merlot was harvested from estate vineyards in Oliver and Osoyoos, was put through a malolactic (second) fermentation and matured in a mix of French (primarily), Hungarian and American oak barrels for 14 months.
Always a powerful and often brooding Merlot, this vintage stays true. Black chocolate, plums and prune, wild sage, toasted brown spice, tar, tobacco and vanilla aromas dominate. The palate echos the nose with black fruit, charred black chocolate and leather flavours. A savoury, full-bodied and meaty red with a spicy finish.
©copyright 2024 Daenna Van Mulligen
Wine Scores Reviewed - November 7th, 2024