2022 Jackson-Triggs Grand Reserve Merlot
In Stock
Wine Profile
Tasting Notes
A beautiful bouquet of red fruits, from bright red cherries, raspberries and spiced red plum, to hints of dried cedar and graphite. This is complemented by notes of wet earth, with hints of cigar box and dark chocolate from the oak aging. On the palate the red fruit characters drive through from start to finish with rich dark chocolate, leading into a well-structured yet soft frame of melted tannins that are reminiscent of the reduced, yet concentrated crop.
Vineyard Notes
The 2022 harvest conditions in Niagara were for the most part favourable. A prolonged, harsh winter did yield some damage to several vineyards across the region. Despite this, we were favoured with an extended sun-filled summer ideal for ripening, and by early September we harvested our first fruit for sparkling. Due to the winter damage, we saw a reduced crop load, but an upswing in quality. Through autumn, we enjoyed fair weather with minimal rainfall. Harvest was completed on November 4th, a beautiful warm and sunny day for bringing in our last fruit of the season, Cabernet Franc and Cabernet Sauvignon.
Production Notes
The grapes were grown primarily in the Niagara Lakeshore sub-appellation with fruit also coming from our Montague vineyard. The vineyards ripen at different stages based on their unique microclimates but once the Merlot was ripe at each location it followed a similar process. These grapes went through a 72-hour cold soak prior to being inoculated for fermentation. Near the end of primary fermentation, malolactic fermentation began before the wine was pressed off skins and sent to barrel to finish. The wine spent 18 months in a combination of French and American oak before blending and bottling.
Food Pairing Notes
Pairs well with roasted salsify soup with mushroom and duck hash and black garlic lavish crisp. Smoked bone-in pork chop with maple glazed parsnips.