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This wine is strictly allocated, please email us to request an allocation. Join our  mailing list or Wine Society for the best access. 

Equinoxe: equal day, equal night. Equal old world, equal new world.

Our Équinoxe Merlot (previously labeled as Merlot Reserve) comes from a very specific block of 16 year old vines on the south end of the Golden Mile. Since 2005 (the first vintage of this wine), the results show that regardless of the vintage, the resulting wine is always intense with firm tannins.

Morning sun and afternoon shade keeps the acidity high and the overall wine harmonious - never flat or overbearing. The nose dances with a myriad of nuances. The flavours on the palate transform into plum and blackberry with a very long finish of espresso and mocha. The Equinoxe Merlot is a truly impressive wine. The calibre of fruit and style of winemaking leads to a wine that will age gracefully for ten plus years.

Recommended Food Pairing:

A grilled rib eye over blue cheese polenta or lamb tagine with raisin and mint couscous are two favorites that will add complexity to the flavours.

92 Points - John Schreiner
"These grapes are also from the Feuille D’Or vineyard. (This was the vineyard that was partially destroyed last year in the landslide.) The wine was aged 21 months in French oak, 60% of it new. This wine has a chewy, concentrated texture, with aromas of lingonberries and flavours of black currants and blackberries."

92 Points - John Szabo
"Le Vieux Pin's top end, limited production merlot (175 cases total), is a classic example of the variety, with structure, firmness, complexity and depth. For the moment it's still tightly wound, even after opening for 24 hours, so tuck this in the cellar for another 2-3 years to see it through to its optimal drinking window. The nose offers very ripe (but not overripe or rasined) dark berry and plum character, distinctive savoury dried herbs and integrated oak/dark chocolate notes. The finish lingers nicely; I appreciate the way this remains on the structured/elegant side of the equation, avoiding the soft, creamy, sweet style of many west coast merlots - it's a wine for classicists and wine lovers. Tasted may 2011."

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