The 2010 Burrowing Owl Estate Winery Merlot, aged for 16 months in French, Russian, Hungarian and American oaks; has attractive aromas of pine, clove, leather and blackberry on the nose while the palate gets immersed with red currant, blackberry and black currant fruits interwoven with nicely integrated oak. It is a medium bodied, extra-dry, integrated wine; BALANCED with lively acidity, refined tannins and a long and smooth finish. Enjoy this wine on its own; drink now till 2022+ (cork enclosure). My impression: BEAUTIFUL, 92 pts – recommended for its quality. NOTE, the vintage at LCBO is indeed 2010, not the listed 2011. Tasted in Nov/14 http://grapeselections.com/grapeselections/wine-reviews/.

See my wine recommendations readily available at the LCBO here:

http://grapeselections.com/grapeselections

or here @

http://www.winealign.com/wino/dantrcka/recommended-wines-you-can-still-buy

Medium+ ruby in colour with a medium to medium+ intense nose.

Positive Notes: This merlot has nice juicy flavor featuring raspberry, plums, dark chocolate, thyme, sweet basil and vanilla. Full body with medium to Medium+ tannins, good acidity & a long length.

Negatives: A touch hot on the taste

Drink now on its own or over the next 5 years and pair it with beef Bourguignon.

Tasted: 13 June 13

Score: 9/10, Value: 8.5/10 Total: 7.5/20

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 3.5+

Aromas of concentrated red cherry, plum, and a slight hickory smoke note. Juicy flavours of red cherry, plum and raspberry, with a subtle earthiness and some spice. Medium bodied with fine but firm tannins and balanced acidity. Overall, a joy to drink.