A Merlot heavy (62%) Meritage blend from the big 2007 vintage. The wine spent 18 months in a mix of new (38%) oak that was primary of French origin (70%). This wine hits all the high points of a good Meritage wine: there's fruit, smoke and other flavours that make up this a complex piece of work. The nose is smoky, raspberry, black cherry, and pencil shavings ... palate is quite young and toasty, where you'll find a smoked-licorice note and some lovely black cherry; but it's the toastiness that really comes through at the time. The finish is a long lip-smacking black cherry-vanilla. This is a really tasty wine now, but should be even better in 3 years. Drink: 2014-2022. Price: $59.95 - Rating: **** 1/2