Somewhat underwhelming…
Name: MERITAGE MER’R’IYM
Vintage: 2012
Producer: NK’MIP (pronounced Inkameep)
Region/Country: British Columbia, VQA Okanagan Valley, Canada
Grape Varietal(s): 55% Merlot, 25% Cabernet Sauvignon, 14% Malbec, and 6% Cabernet Franc
Consumed: At home
Recommended By: My parents, who visited the winery not too long ago, and, I have to admit, the combination of varietals intrigued me.
Cost: 43.49 CAD
Bottle Presentation: A dark, classy bottle, accented with some colourful artwork. I really like the look of the label.
Appearance: Ruby red, although not far from having a tinge of blue/purple.
Nose: Alcohol and blueberries (almost like blueberry pie).
Taste: Alcohol overload! The bottle indicates 14.5%, but one has to wonder. Earth/dirt also dominated. This wine would benefit from at least an hour decant. Not great with a gourmet hamburger and grilled red onions, but it paired better, or rather, it mellowed out with a Caprese salad. It paired quite nicely with Gruyère, Parmesan, Havarti, and Emmental cheeses. When it opened, notes of black pepper and green peppers surfaced.
Finish: Dirty laundry and earth. Alcohol lingered, as well.
Overall Impression: Overwhelmed by the alcohol content and underwhelmed by the wine, if that makes sense. I have to ask if the marketing department even taste the wine before describing it as a wine “epitomizing balance, respect and dedication.”
Rating (from 70 to 100): 80/100
Value: 1.5/5