2002 Merlot Reserve Varietals: Merlot Vintage: 2002 Label: Pillitteri Winemaker: Pillitteri Winemaker Production: 2700 cases (750 ml) Price $30.00 Sugar: 9 g/L (LCBO sugar code 0) Colour: Red Style: Table Wine PH: 3.5 Blend: 100% Merlot Alcohol: 13.0% w/v Titratable Acidity: 6.4 g/L VQA: Yes Inventory Status: Sold Out Sales Availability Not Available LCBO: No

Tasting Notes:	A deep and richly textured wine as eluded by the intense, opaque, deep garnet colour. Stewed fruits of plum, black berries and currents dominate the complex aroma which adds additional spices, cedar and tobacco with wisps of coffee and chocolate throughout. The full bodied palate remains complex with tightly woven characters of leather, spice, cedar, tobacco and heaps of black fruit sensations. A lengthy finish is nothing short of enticing as it is evolving and continually opening up in the glass exposing multitudes of intricacies. Drinking well now but will benefit from 5 to 10 years of aging. Enjoy with elegant red meats such as rack of lamb and fillet mignon; tomato sauces; stews and medium bodied cheeses, or "sinfully well" with chocolate.
Prodution Notes:	The grapes were immediately crushed after harvest and commenced fermentation after inoculation with premium red wine yeast in stainless steel tanks. The must was pumped over twice daily while fermenting at 20-24°C. After 20 days, the wine was pressed and malolactic fermentation began. The wine was then aged in new and one year old French and American Oak plus some re-coopered 2 year old oak for 20 months. Drinking well now beautifully and for the next 10 years.
Harvest Notes:	The growing season of 2002 was just as sensational as 1998 due to the lack of precipitation and intense heat endured throughout the season and long into the autumn, providing for incredible red wines. The Merlot was sourced from Niagara-on-the-Lake and was harvested October 2nd to 23rd, 2002 depending upon vineyard maturity. The sugar content was high averaging 23 Brix with an excellent berries flavour profile.

Awards for 2002 Merlot Reserve

(10) Awards
View the award details.

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