Burrowing Owl Meritage 2021
Introduction
Burrowing Owl Meritage originates from Canada, specifically from the Black Sage Bench in the Okanagan Valley, British Columbia. Since its first vintage in 1997, it has served as the estate's flagship Bordeaux-style blend. Founder Jim Wyse and the winemaking team follow a philosophy of "premium estate-grown" quality, utilizing gravity-flow technology and careful barrel selection to create a wine that balances power with finesse. The 2020 vintage recently received significant acclaim, including a 94-point rating from Gismondi on Wine.
Wine Description
This Meritage is a bold and structured red, typically presenting a deep ruby to opaque garnet colour. The sensory profile is complex and evolving, featuring a "posh" nose of blackcurrant (cassis), plum, and orange zest, layered with savoury notes of desert sage, tobacco, cedar, and dark chocolate. On the full-bodied palate, it is plush and well-knit, delivering intense flavours of blackberry, blueberry pie, and anise, supported by ripe, silky tannins and a juicy freshness. The finish is long and persistent, often showing hints of graphite minerality and baking spices.
Varietal Composition: A blend of the five classic Bordeaux varieties: Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Petit Verdot, and Malbec. Percentages vary by year; the 2020 vintage is 38% Cabernet Sauvignon, 24% Merlot, 23% Cabernet Franc, 8.5% Malbec, and 6.5% Petit Verdot.
ABV: Typically between 14% and 14.5%.
Ageing: Components are vinified and aged separately for 15–18 months in a combination of French (predominant), Hungarian, and American oak barrels before being blended and aged for an additional 3–4 months.
Cellaring: Built for longevity, this wine typically has a cellaring potential of 10+ years.
Product Information
Product Information
Shipping & Returns
Shipping & Returns
Description
Introduction
Burrowing Owl Meritage originates from Canada, specifically from the Black Sage Bench in the Okanagan Valley, British Columbia. Since its first vintage in 1997, it has served as the estate's flagship Bordeaux-style blend. Founder Jim Wyse and the winemaking team follow a philosophy of "premium estate-grown" quality, utilizing gravity-flow technology and careful barrel selection to create a wine that balances power with finesse. The 2020 vintage recently received significant acclaim, including a 94-point rating from Gismondi on Wine.
Wine Description
This Meritage is a bold and structured red, typically presenting a deep ruby to opaque garnet colour. The sensory profile is complex and evolving, featuring a "posh" nose of blackcurrant (cassis), plum, and orange zest, layered with savoury notes of desert sage, tobacco, cedar, and dark chocolate. On the full-bodied palate, it is plush and well-knit, delivering intense flavours of blackberry, blueberry pie, and anise, supported by ripe, silky tannins and a juicy freshness. The finish is long and persistent, often showing hints of graphite minerality and baking spices.
Varietal Composition: A blend of the five classic Bordeaux varieties: Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Petit Verdot, and Malbec. Percentages vary by year; the 2020 vintage is 38% Cabernet Sauvignon, 24% Merlot, 23% Cabernet Franc, 8.5% Malbec, and 6.5% Petit Verdot.
ABV: Typically between 14% and 14.5%.
Ageing: Components are vinified and aged separately for 15–18 months in a combination of French (predominant), Hungarian, and American oak barrels before being blended and aged for an additional 3–4 months.
Cellaring: Built for longevity, this wine typically has a cellaring potential of 10+ years.
