Culmina Family Estate Winery 2014 Merlot

Culmina Family Estate Winery 2014 Merlot

Golden Mile Bench, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia

$35

This 2014 Merlot was the most thought provoking of the trio of single variety Bordeaux reds — Cabernet Franc and Cabernet Sauvignon were also relased as single varieties in 2014 — from Culmina, it makes a terrific first impression with a mix of dark fruit, spice and vanilla aromas. Produced with 100 percent Merlot grown on the Triggs family’s Arise Vineyard, this classically structured red was aged in 100 percent French oak, 15 percent new and 85 percent year-old. This promises to look its best in three to five years in bottle. Give it a long decant to maximize enjoyment if you’re looking to enjoy a bottle during the holiday season.