I bought this bottle at the winery in Oliver in August 2012 – and then brought it right back to the Okanagan to drink with Jennifer and Allan.  Fun!

This is Black Hills’ renowned Meritage blend of 57% Cabernet Sauvignon, 32% Merlot and 11% Cabernet Franc.  Clear and bright, it’s a deep shade of ruby with a bricked rim.

The nose is enticing with intense aromas of bramble, blackberry, cassis, cola and sweet baking spice notes including vanilla.

Dry with better than average acidity, the tannins are dusty and just every-so-slightly grippy.  While the alcohol shows a little high, the flavour profile is pronounced with ripe blackberry, bramble, cassis, black plum and boysenberry, licorice, leather, tobacco and vanilla oak.  A long finish accompanies the back end.

The components are clearly delineated and complex, with balanced fruit, tannin and acidity.  WSET Very Good Plus, it’s drinking beautifully, but could also be laid down for 5 years or even more considering the acidity, fruit and complexity.