February 2, 2019 Vintages Release

• The following 2014 Gundlach Bundschu Merlot will have limited distribution being available only in LCBO, ‘Flagship’, aka ‘large’, stores.

92 
Gundlach Bundschu Merlot 2014
Sonoma Valley $58.95 (397497) 14.7% alcohol
This red blend—89% merlot/5% petit verdot/4% cabernet sauvignon/1% malbec/1% cabernet franc—is aged 17 months in French oak barrel, 40% new. It’s opaque, brick-red coloured with expressive aromas of smoke, dry leaves, vanilla, cherry, strawberry and dried herbs. On the palate it feels full bodied and smooth with silky tannins along with juicy flavours of cherry and blackberry. A hint of coffee and chocolate lingers pleasantly on the finish, underscored by gentle tannins. Drinking wonderfully now, it has the structure and oomph to easily last to 2022. Aerate/decant a couple of hours and enjoy with roast duck. (Dave Isaacs)