With Hart and the ROM + birthday folks at La Cabane.

Another prime example of what letting a wine breathe does. Freshly poured, this is claaaaaaassic Merlot: dark purple. Full bodied with the usual rich black current and chocolate notes. Tinge of leather and oak.

With some time in the glass, the dark berries and fruits receded to the background, and the leather and oak reaaaally came forward. Thankfully, the wine was able to hold onto the fruits and stayed well balanced.

On the palette: medium bodied. Niceeeely grippy tannins (that could maybe just round off with a couple more quick years). More oak, tobacco, leather, and rich red fruit on exhale.

This is a good, classic Merlot blend.