Lunessence Merlot 2018

Deborah Podurgiel WSET IV Candidate rated this wine as 93/100 with the following review:

Lunessence Winery’s 2018 Merlot is amazing. Deep ruby in the glass with a bit of bricking on the meniscus, it’s all about the nose on this wine. Right from the get-go the wine is meeeaatty with savoury spices and grilled herb aromas. On the palate, it’s a grilled prime rib or roast beef in a glass; rich, full-bodied with grilled meat, cooked bacon, spiced plum, dark cherry, grilled herbs, savoury and pepper spices flavours balanced with medium-plus-acidity and rich with pleasantly grippy tannins that caress the palate. Beautifully balanced and crafted. Drink or hold. Tasted July 2021.

Produced from sustainably grown grapes and aged 12 months in French and Hungarian oak barrels (8% new). This vintage was awarded Silver at the 2020 All Canadian Wine Championships for a Merlot under $30 ($29.99).

Jennifer Havers rated this wine as 90/100 with the following review:

Tasted next to the 2017 Merlot, this wine is equally as lovely, but showing a bit more youthful tannins and overall a bit more of a smoky note. Aromas of plum, dark cherry, oak, spice and mocha. Full bodied on the palate, with some young, soft tannins, and medium+ acidity, along with some ripe fruit notes, and a bit of smoke and spice. Enjoy with grilled steak or pork tenderloin.

Julian Park rated this wine as 90/100 with the following review:

The wildfire smoke in the 2018 summer led to sun-blocking and more subtle grape ripening resulting in a lighter style Merlot.

The Merlot is a ruby red colour with aromas of dried cherry and cedar. The food-friendly wine has flavours of black fruit, ripe plum and dark chocolate. The tannin structure makes the wine perfect to pair with BBQ steaks.