Best be liking the 2012 (and 2013) Merlots from Ontario because 2014 will be in very limited supply (due to that nasty winter we had). This Red Tail version was in oak just under a year (say about 10 months) and was treated with kid gloves from the get go: first it was the hand-picking then the hand-sorting and onto the small batch fermentation. It has all made for a very mighty fine Merlot under the hood … aromas are stoked in blueberry and raspberry along with elderberry, cassis, mocha and hints of wild flowers. Palate is supple and silky with blueberry, cherry, anise, hints of herbal, gritty spices and good weighted tannins … all combined it manages to keep things exciting in the glass and in the mouth. Price: $19.95 – Rating: ****+