Community Tasting Note
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mjwstickings Likes this wine: 87 points
September 26, 2021 - This is all about potential -- for the varietal (a hybrid grandchild of Pinot Noir developed for cold climates), for the region (Nova Scotia makes good whites and sparklers, the reds somewhat less), and for this wine itself (it likely needs 2-3 more years). As for what it is now, it's a curious mix of sour, earthy, and funky, and it's quite a good mix at that, especially on the nose -- sour with notes of raspberry, cherry, cranberry, and pomegranate; earthy (like Pinot) with notes of beetroot, herbs, and, yes, earth; funky with a light touch of brett -- all like a combination of Burgundy and the southern Rhône, like a blend of Pinot and Syrah, maybe also a touch of Sangiovese. The main problem comes on the palate, where the acidity is just too sharp, overwhelming everything else. Even time in the open doesn't help. Even two days after opening, the acidity holds up. So while there really aren't the tannins to hold up for extensive aging, a couple of years might soften the acidity enough to achieve at least a semblance of balance. All that said, the complexity, depth, and length are all very good, hence the potential. There's a lot to like here, a promising expression of the varietal, and that puts it at an 87 with upside.
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1 Comment
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jfdramis commented:
3/13/22, 6:05 AM - If you can find a bottle, give the "Reserve" a try. The apassimento method and aging in french oak barrels mellows down everything and makes the wine more approachable.
https://devoniancoast.ca/mercator-reserve-marquette-2016-750ml.html