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13th Street Winery 2004 Cabernet-Merlot
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Date added;:	28.Dec.2008
Author :	Michael Pinkus - Grape Guy

Description It seems that 13th Street has done it again – I never got a chance to publish my review of their bold and hearty 2002 Cabernet-Merlot because it sold out before I could get it to press; so I was not about to let the same thing happen with the ’04 version. Bottled less than 3 months ago (May 2005), the ’04 Cab-Merlot is still a little closed and will require some more bottle age (say 2-3 years+, as opposed to the 5+ years for the ‘02), but that shouldn’t stop you from trying it right now, because here’s what’s in store for you. The nose shows liberal use of oak ageing along with some smokiness, cedar, vanilla and sour cherry. At this time, I would recommend decanting, opening an hour before serving or using a special Bordeaux-style glass, such as what Spieglau or Riedel make, to get the best flavours out of it. The most prevalent taste is oak, but with the right amount of aeration, you’ll find cassis, dark cocoa, tobacco. Some red fruit also finds a way to peak through the wood. You’ll find this all culminates in a medium finish that coats the inside of the mouth. A great wine, from what many have considered to be a so-so vintage year, but then I expect nothing less from the boys at 13th Street.

Wine - Food Affinities Re-tasting Sept. 2007 ... If I’ve said it once, I’ve said it 1000 times, 2004 was not the best year for grapes in Ontario. It was one of those vintages that separated the seasoned, veteran Ontario winemakers from the posers who thought they could do no wrong during the 2002 season. This was the second challenging year in a row and you had to bring you’re A-game to the table to make good wine. The veterans at 13th Street did just that, crafting a wine that has lots of dark fruit, especially black cherry, on the nose – and an earthy dark fruit and anise-like personality in your mouth – this one still has a couple of years left on it.

Notes Available at the winery and in Vintages February 2008

Varietal / Grape Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Merlot

Region Niagara

Winery 13th Street

Year 2004

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