King’s Ransom Meritage

This is a blend of merlot and cabernet sauvignon aged a full 24 months in both French and American oak barrels, which impart a certain luxuriousness. There is indeed plenty of oak spice, vanilla and resin on the nose but the berry jam, plummy-pruny fruit is very ripe and generous too, and it all fits together well. It is full bodied, plush, warm and rich. Fans of big California cabs like Silver Oak with like this style. Some will find the oak too dominant I am sure, and the tannins are quite muscular. But about three years of age with mellow it even more. The length is excellent.

For the past several years I have been tasting this red blend and noting its steady evolution. This vintage has really slipped into a high gear now, and showed spectacularly well in its blind flight. Bright, youthful plums and ripe cassis join smoke and oak spice aromas. Wonderful chocolatey flavours with black wine gum and smoke layer the palate, coating very firm tannins with smooth fruit density. Very well-structured with uplifting acidity, it's still showing a tannic tightness that will relax over the few years. An excellent red to match the very fine sparkling 'The One' from this Okanagan Falls family estate.