Varietals: 52% Merlot, 48% Cabernet Sauvignon

Cases Produced: 260

Residual Sugar: 3 g/L

Total Acidity: 6.35

PH: 3.38

Sourced entirely from the Nedelko Vineyard located in the Twenty Mile Bench Sub-Appellation of Niagara, our UV or Ultraviolet Blend was named for the purple hues of the wine. Alternatively, the mirror image VU is a nod to the Velvet Underground and the unseen work performed by the vineyard roots underground.

Tasting Notes: Ripe and juicy, the UV displays bold dark berry flavours with grippy tannins and a delicate wood influence. Drink 2024-2030 for fruit balance. Potential for aging up to 2040 for a more refined style.

Vineyards: Owned by grower Bob Nedelko, the Nedelko Vineyard is an impeccably maintained 8-acre plot home to mature varietals that are unsuitable for growing in the cooler PEC region. The site features plantings of Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Riesling, and Gewurztraminer. Owner and Head Winemaker Dan Sullivan has been making use of fruit from this special site since his days as an amateur winemaker.

Growing Season: 2020 was an exceptional season across all Ontario grape-growing regions, and the Twenty Mile Bench was no exception. Late into the summer saw periodic heavy showers, but a hotter-than-usual Fall ensured quick drying of the fields. The dry and consistently sunny September and October ensured that varietals at Nedelko Vineyards were picked at optimum ripeness.

Harvest: Merlot - October 7, 2020; Cabernet Sauvignon - October 13, 2020. The autumn season was kind to us, and the picks of both varietals were done under ideal conditions. The Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon were both harvested before the middle of October, which would be considered on the early side for these varietals. After harvest, the fruit was immediately transferred to our estate facilities for processing and fermentation.

Winemaking: The two-component varietals were initially fermented and aged separately to maintain varietal characteristics and for additional textural complexity. After the initial fermentation, the fruit was pressed, settled, and barreled down in 265-litre puncheons in our underground cellar for 17 months. The barrels consisted of French oak – 45% new and the remainder a blend of 2nd and 3rd fill, or neutral. In early 2022, the two varietals were brought together in stainless steel tanks for the final cuvee prior bottling.

CRITICAL ACCLAIM

SILVER, National Wine Awards of Canada

It shows ripe black cherries, black currants, cassis and enticing oak spices on the nose that is both riveting and enticing. The dense red and dark berries on the palate are joined by anise/licorice, and fresh turned soil with tannic structure. This is both a bold and flavourful wine, yes, but also nicely finessed on the finish. 92 points Rick Vansickle, WinesinNiagara.com

Good example of merlot and cabernet sauvignon …. Juicy and spirited, rising with supportive acids and a fineness of tannin. Solid stuff. 91 points Michael Godel, WineAlign.com