We opened a bottle of sparkling tonight that was off - slightly oxidized and bitter. Such a disappointment. The bottle details shall go unnamed, as it can happen to any producer and it was a gift. As we head into New Year's Eve, it's a good reminder that sparkling wines can have faults just like still wines. Keep your wits about you; life's too short to suffer through a glass of tainted wine.
Plan B ended up being the 2007 Burrowing Owl Merlot, which many of you may have hidden in a corner of your "cellar" from an old summer trip to the Okanagan. It definitely made up for the earlier let-down. Plum pie, stewed prunes, black liquorice, sweet spice, and age-softened tannins make for a silky mouthfeel. Sip on its own or pair with a roast. But drink it soon, it's at its peak now and won't benefit form further aging.
An aside: we all have personally favourite years that have nothing to do with vintage, right? I'm often conflicted when thinking back on 2007, as it was a year of transitions but with the bright point of meeting my husband. This Merlot is a lot smoother than 2007 was, and now I get to enjoy it with Alex.
Plan B ended up being the 2007 Burrowing Owl Merlot, which many of you may have hidden in a corner of your "cellar" from an old summer trip to the Okanagan. It definitely made up for the earlier let-down. Plum pie, stewed prunes, black liquorice, sweet spice, and age-softened tannins make for a silky mouthfeel. Sip on its own or pair with a roast. But drink it soon, it's at its peak now and won't benefit form further aging.
An aside: we all have personally favourite years that have nothing to do with vintage, right? I'm often conflicted when thinking back on 2007, as it was a year of transitions but with the bright point of meeting my husband. This Merlot is a lot smoother than 2007 was, and now I get to enjoy it with Alex.
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