Burrowing Owl Merlot 2016 Wine Review

Burrowing Owl Merlot 2016

Okanagan Valley, British Columbia V.Q.A., Canada

Community Score:90/100

Community Reviews: 6

Add My Review

Price: $39.95

Drink: 2020-2021

Bottle size: 750 ml

Alcohol: 14%

Sweetness: Extra Dry

Wine Type: Red Wine

Winery: Burrowing Owl

Agent: Wyse Wine Agency

Natalie's Score: 92/100

A supple and plushy Merlot with dark spiced plums, rich blackberry, ripe red cherry, bell pepper flavours earthy and savoury on the palate. Finishes long and smooth with vibrant acidity. The wine matured 18 months in a combination of Hungarian, Russian, American and French oak barrels. Enjoy now with an equally juicy roast of pork.

Merlot food pairings: grilled pork chops, meat stuffed Portobello mushrooms, grilled veal chops.

Plush Pork Wine

This Burrowing Owl Merlot 2016 was reviewed on April 1, 2020 by Natalie MacLean

More Vintages: 2019 2018 2015 2014 2013

Add New Vintage

Pricing & Stock Information

LCBO
351675
$39.95
Check Stock

BCLDB
585737
434 bottles

Store

Stock

Sidney

223

Saanich

Fort Street

Alert Bay

Blanshard Square

See More Locations Edit Locations

SAQ
12133978
Check Stock

AGLC
575737

Reviews and Ratings

Matt Steeves - Certified Sommelier rated this wine as 92/100 with the following review:

Burrowing Owl's 2016 Merlot shows the richness and balance of the 2016 vintage. Loads of rich blackberry, black currant, cherry, plum, smoky bacon, dried fruits and chocolate on the nose and palate. Super expressive, this beautifully balanced and very full-bodied wine shows great elegance too with it's fine integrated tannins and soft mouthfeel making it a wonderful wine to enjoy with a wide range of dishes from wood-fired pizza, to roasts, to BBQ burgers and ribs. Try with spicy pork tenderloin with cherry-thyme pan sauce - a perfect pairing all year round! Tasted June 2020. 92 points. Matt Steeves - www.quercusvino.ca

Jenny Ratcliffe-Wright CWM rated this wine as 91/100 with the following review:

Beautifully perfumed with violets and hints of pencil shavings, this wine is consistently good. Lovely black cherries and a savoury finish that is elegant and refined. Try with Goulash with gnocchi and sour cream @wrightwineblog

Daniel O'Keefe rated this wine as 90/100 with the following review:

Dried blueberry and violet prominent with plenty of dark fruit, jammy fruit, and cocoa. Good tannins, drying on the palate. The finish persists with impressive length. A treat with grilled pork or beef dishes. Cellar potential here, no need to rush. Enjoy through 2026.

Linda Mertes WSET 2 rated this wine as 90/100 with the following review:

For buyers who want a British Columbia wine, it is also a personal favourite of mine. Consistent year after year, this full-bodied Merlot opens with dark berry and plum aromas. It is well-balanced with medium acidity and tannins. A long, dry finish. Versatile with lamb, veal or beef.

Burrowing Owl 2016 Merlot is plushy and smooth on the palate with layers of dark plum, cherry, blueberry, fine herbs, earthy florals, cedar spice long and smooth on the palate. Beautifully balanced with fine-grained, velvety tannins. Enjoy now with a veal Porterhouse. - Community Wine Reviews

If you liked the Burrowing Owl Merlot 2016, you might also like these wines:

Add bottle and/or label shots for this wine
Wineries and agents: Add notes for this wine
Find this wine in other stores

Recipes for Burrowing Owl Merlot 2016

WANT TO LEARN HOW TO

PAIR WINE
& FOOD?

Join me in a free online video class to learn the secrets to perfect pairings.

SAVE MY SEAT!

Wine of the Week

As featured on

Hinterbrook Red Wine
2018,
Niagara Lakeshore, Ontario V.Q.A. ...

Natalie MacLean

Natalie MacLean offers North America's most popular online wine and food pairing classes. She was named the World's Best Drinks Writer at the World Food Media Awards in Australia.

Natalie has published two books with Random House, both selected as one of Amazon's Best Books of the Year.

Join 334,963 thirsty wine lovers who get access to all of her wine reviews by becoming a member of her site. Take a free online pairing class with her here.

FEEL LOST IN THE

LCBO?

Know the wines you want before you even get to the store with my wine reviews. Join now. It's free.

Red, White & Drunk All Over

Best Books of the Year

Natalie MacLean writes about wine with a sensuous obsession... and often laugh-out-loud funny... Terrific.

Rex Pickett, Sideways

Ms. MacLean is the disarming Everywoman. She loves wine, loves drinking ... ultimately, it's a winning formula.

Eric Asimov, The New York Times

GOT A SMARTPHONE?

Access my reviews on mobile with the bar code scanner.

GET NAT'S APP

Unquenchable: A Tipsy Search

Best Books of the Year

Natalie MacLean is a new force in the wine writing world ‐ a feisty North American answer to Hugh Johnson and Jancis Robinson. She can write beautifully about wine.

The Financial Times of London

There are very few people in the wine world who "get it" and Natalie is one of those who brings more fun to a buttoned-up and stodgy game.

Gary Vaynerchuck, Wine Library TV

Starting a Wine Cellar?

Expert advice for all budgets

From wine racks to underground caves, insider tips on size and space, number of bottles, ideal conditions and reputable resources. learn more

Welcome Back!Sign in here:

Not Registered?Become one of our thirsty clan 334,963 strong:

Burrowing Owl Merlot 2016 Wine Review

Natalie's Score: 92/100

Pricing & Stock Information