After all the poo-pooing and problems Merlot had with the weather here in Ontario the last few years I’m surprised we still see this grape’s name on bottle labels at all – that said it seems that only the good Merlot has survived as the Ontario Merlots I’ve tried of late have been really really good – take this Good Earth version made by Ilya Senchuk of Leaning Post fame. Made from Bench fruit which spent 18 months in 70% French and 30% American oak and has retained a beautiful ripe fruit core of blue and red fruit along with a raspberry and white pepper finish – it’s a young wine that’ll round out with more complexity and depth over the next 2-3 years. Price: $34.95 – Rating: ****