2022 Anarchy Merlot
Hand-harvested from Anarchist Mountain Vineyard in Osoyoos, BC, the 2022 Anarchy Merlot is a thoughtful blend of 95% Merlot and 5% Cabernet Franc. There is a complexity on the nose layered with spice notes such and anise and clove, accompanied by dark fruits like blackberry and plum. The palate reveals a touch of espresso with blueberries and dark chocolate. It is dry with velvety tannins and a long alluring finish. This is one to watch evolve over the years and has the longevity to age gracefully for 10+ years.
93 Points, Julian Park in BC Wine Trends
- Alcohol 14.6%
- Acidity 6.54 g/L
- Aging French oak barrels (38% new) for 18 months
- Harvest Date October 21, 2022
- ph 3.58
- Region Osoyoos, BC
- Residual sugar 0.58 g/L
- Type Red
- Varietal 95% Merlot, 5% Cabernet Franc
- Vineyard Anarchist Mountain Vineyard
- Vintage 2022
- Winemaker Ajay Chavan
Food Pairing
Braised lamb shanks with fresh rosemary and thyme or your choice of dark chocolate.
Vineyard Notes
The 2022 vintage started off very slow with cool temperatures. Summer delivered our usual glorious Okanagan weather without the extreme heat we had in the previous year. The latter half of the season presented great weather for slow and gradual flavour and phenolic development in the fruit keeping sugar levels in control. The fall weather produced above average temperatures right through to the end of October, which were ideal conditions for retaining natural acidity and slow gradual accumulation of flavours to optimal ripeness. The overall 2022 growing season has provided us with outstanding fruit across the board, and in the 2022 Anarchy Merlot this can be seen.
As in previous vintages, the Merlot is harvested from a single vineyard on Anarchist Mountain located 1,700 feet above the valley floor overlooking the town of Osoyoos. Home to Terry and Andrew for 12 years, this vineyard is nestled on the side of a mountain and surrounded by sage brush and desert scrub. The Merlot was planted in 1994 by the Mauz family. Grown on silt and sand deposits from the glacial movements of many years ago, this block is irrigated using natural spring water from a cave in the side of the mountain. The Merlot is typically the last fruit picked for Mayhem; this fruit came in on October 21st.
Winemaker Notes
Gently destemmed into stainless steel tanks along with 4% Cabernet Franc, the wine received a 5-day cold soak before being fermented for 31-days, with temperatures peaking at 34C. Only the best free run juice was then transferred to barrel where the wine aged for 10-months before an additional 1% of Cabernet Franc was added. It was then returned to barrel for a further 8-months of barrel aging. The final blend is 95% Merlot and 5% Cabernet Franc with a total of 18-months aged in 38% new French oak. The wine was bottled unfined and unfiltered in the Spring of 2024.
