So now for a little bit of that wine a movie almost single handedly killed the market for.

We picked this Merlot up in Summerland on the Bottleneck Drive wine tour.  Heaven’s Gate Estate Winery used to be a peach orchard and like most that have made the switch over to vines, opened recently in 2011.  They have a great do-it-yourself vibe and an even greater winery dog.

This wine is clear, medium plus ruby at the core moving to a thin light ruby rim with deep legs. On the nose it’s clean with medium intensity and developing aromas of dark purple plum, spice and cedar.  The high alcohol is noticeable here.

On the palate, it’s dry with medium plus acidity, medium tannin, more high alcohol and a medium body.  It shows flavours of plum, Byng cherry, cedar, a little baking spice and smoke.  The finish is medium, but the high alcohol makes it slightly unbalanced.

This wine is the front end of WSET Good; drink now, not meant for aging.