Merlot has been a staple in Hillside’s portfolio since 2000 when Hidden Valley Vineyard was planted to include 2 blocks of Merlot comprising over 5 acres of the 15 acres managed by Hillside. This fruit was used along with a substantial amount of contracted Naramata Bench fruit to produce roughly 1500 cases of Hillside Merlot per vintage, along with a small amount of the barrel aged Reserve Merlot. In the early 2000’s this wine was made with short skin contact, little or no barrel aging, often utilizing oak chips and micro-oxygenation.
Installation of a heater on the crush pad in 2008 along with a major purchase of oak barrels allowed the winemaking and thus the style of Hillside Merlot to shift to a richer, more serious wine, with extended skin contact and tannin softening due to elevage in small oak barrels. Increasing the production of rosé has allowed grading of the fruit at harvest, further enhancing the quality of the Merlot. If there is a block of Merlot that is struggling to achieve full tannin ripeness it can go directly to the press for rosé.
Hillside Merlot has long been seen as a “cheap and cheerful” Merlot—Duncan’s “Monday to Thursday” wine and this winemaker for one feels it has not been given its due! Winemaking techniques for this blend of merlot are the same as those used for its individual components which also become part of the premium award-winning Single Vineyard series. The difference is that Hillside Merlot is a blend of several vineyards, and it rarely sees new oak barrels, which makes it a go-to for benchmark Merlot, blurring terroir differences but showcasing the bright flavours of this long-maligned (thanks a lot Sideways!) grape. And talk about value, Hillside Merlot’s quality to price ratio is off the charts!
BC Merlot had a tough winter last year in the vineyard, with 100% of the vines dying down to the roots. Our Hidden Valley merlot as well as that in our contracted vineyards is still alive and will come back from the roots this year and will be sure to shine, sporting young trunks & canes on old, deep roots, an exciting combination. (Have a look at my blog about Naramata reds )
In a year that 100% BC grown whites will be hard to find, check out Hillside Merlot and make it your “Monday to Thursday” (or even “everyday”).
