Featherstone Red Tail Merlot 2016

Named for the red-tailed hawks that patrol the skies above the vineyards of Niagara, this offers up a complex, evocative nose of dark fruit, cassis, herbs and spice. Ripe and precise in the mouth, it is lithe and fresh with superb food-friendly acidity. There is red fruit atop the dark, savoury tones and some refined earthy notes emerge on the long finish. This has excellent balance and structure and is simply delicious and drinkable. Enjoy this with medium-rare roast beef. (Vintages panel, Jan. 2018)