CANADIANWINESHOP.COM - America's Source for Canadian Wines

Shopping Cart
0 items

Must be 21 to Enter

Wineries

Wines

Cattail Creek Winery » Red Wines »

Click to enlarge

Cattail Creek Estate Winery
2006 Cabernet-Merlot RESERVE VQA ..750mL

2006 CABERNET MERLOT RESERVE

VQA NIAGARA ON THE LAKE

The Vineyard

This wine is a blend of 71% Cabernet Franc and 29% Merlot. The Merlot was harvested on October 2nd, 2006 and the Cabernet Franc was harvested on October 9th and 10th, 2006. In order to achieve physiological ripeness, both grape varieties where bunch thinned in order to reduce the crop load for each vine and the leaves surrounding the fruit was selectively removed to prevent shading, while ensuring to maintain enough leaves to maximize sugar production and ripening of the grapes.

The Winery
Both the Cabernet Franc and Merlot were approximately 95% destemmed and gently crushed before being transferred into small tanks for skin contact and fermentation. The Cabernet Franc remained on the skins for 11 days during which the skins where manually punched down every 8 hours. Once skin contact was completed, the best batches were separated and pressed individually before being transferred into 225L oak barrels to completed fermentation. The wine underwent malolactic fermentation in these barrels. The Merlot fermented on the skins for 12 days during which it was manually punched down every 8 hours. Once again, the best lots of Merlot were separated and pressed individually before being transferred into 225L oak barrels where it underwent malolactic fermentation. The wines were aged a total of 14 months in oak barrels. Fifty percent of the barrels were one year old and the remaining 50% of the barrels were new. French oak barrel comprised 86% of the blend while American oak barrels made of the remaining 14% of the blend. This wine is a assemblage of specially selected barrels that contribute immense depth and character to the final reserve blend.

The Wine
This dry, red wine is full bodied with rich, ripe tannins and flavours. On the palate, upfront flavours of black cherries, dark chocolate and raspberry jam predominate with layers of vanilla, and toasty spice in the background. Try it with blue cheese crusted steak, lamb, roast beef, rich stews, dark chocolate and aged cheeses. Drink now or age up to 5 years. Serve cellar temperature.

The Accolades
“…-but what is finding its way onto their shelves is the reserve wines from 2006 – namely their Cabernet/Merlot blend (71% Cabernet Franc, 29% Merlot) which spent 14 months in French and American oak. Smells include vanilla-oak, coffee, and a red berry mix of strawberries and raspberries. The taste adds a little more to this roster, starting with the smooth mouth feel that has tannin bite and dryness on the finish; flavours include the aforementioned vanilla – but they develop away from the red and turn more into black with blackberries and cassis leading the way – there is also a showing of cinnamon and a variety of spices. This wine could probably sit for another 3 – 5 years in your cellar quite easily” Michael Pinkus, Ontario Wine Review, April 24, 2008

“The nose suggests cassis, mint, dusty oak and subtle vanilla notes that follow onto the palate. Firm, youthful tannins provide excellent structure. A cellar keeper that will continue to develop over the next few years.” Mike Lowe, Pulse Niagara, May 15 – 21, 2008

	$31.25

Available Options:
Gift Basket:

This product was added to our catalog on Wednesday 08 October, 2008.

Product Options Viewing Area

Click on any of the smaller images to see our product options, then select your chosen options from the 'Available Options' drop-down menus.

Selected Option

Your IP Address is: 38.107.179.230