Reif Estate Winery First Growth Merlot 2016 Wine Review

Reif Estate Winery First Growth Merlot 2016

Niagara River, Ontario V.Q.A., Canada

Community Score:92/100

Community Reviews: 4

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Price: $100.20

Drink: 2021-2028

Bottle size: 750 ml

Alcohol: 14.5%

Sweetness: Dry

Wine Type: Red Wine

Winery: Reif

Agent: Reif Estate Winery

Natalie's Score: 93/100

A stunning Niagara Merlot that's richly textured and beautifully textured. Aromas of fleshy ripe dark plums and smoke. Pair with grilled pork chops.

This Reif Estate Winery First Growth Merlot 2016 was reviewed on May 12, 2022 by Natalie MacLean

Pricing & Stock Information

LCBO
149013
$100.20
Check Stock

Reviews and Ratings

Heather Wall - CS; WSET Advanced rated this wine as 95/100 with the following review:

What makes a wine truly memorable? I’ve experienced a handful of remarkable wines and they all have the same common denominators: Company, location, time, food, and - of course - ambiance.

About last night: It was positively balmy for December, but harsh winds were howling outside. Safe indoors, we dined by candlelight aside a twelve-foot, aromatic Balsam Fir in all its twinkling splendour.
Our entrée, roast beef, was a perfect medium-rare and begged for a red wine that would respect it’s weight class. Some earthy qualities would be perfect for the mushroom risotto side dish.
Of course, I brought a Reif Estate First-Growth Merlot 2016 VQA Niagara River. A winery-only marque, this hundred-dollar vintage offered a beautiful deep ruby colour with thick, slow legs on the glass for a silky smooth, warm, alcoholic finish. The aromas were like ten Lords-a-leaping - ripe plum, cherry, chocolate, fresh red berries, blueberry, leather, baking spices, earthy, and cigar.
This merlot was beautiful after decanting for an hour; though, it became memorable after ninety minutes! It paired perfectly with both roast and risotto for an elevated meal befitting the season.
This is a wine - and an evening - for the books!

Christian Marcoux rated this wine as 92/100 with the following review:

The First Growth Merlot 2016, made by Reif Estate Winery in the beautiful Niagara wine region, offers a delicious bouquet of fruitcake, blackberry, bay leaf, potting soil, cream, toffee and cedar. This full-bodied wine shows amazing tannins and lofty acidity, as well as complexity and great structure for its vintage. Its lingering finish exposes notes of dried fig, blueberry, bay leaf, new leather, coffee and cedar. Decant for an hour and enjoy!

Jennifer Havers - WSET Level 3 rated this wine as 91/100 with the following review:

Aromas of currant, plum, cedar, bramble, and smoke. Full bodied and smooth on the palate, much more fruit forward than the aromas would have suggested. Smoke and spice carry through on a lengthy finish. Enjoy with a hearty grilled steak.

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Reif Estate Winery First Growth Merlot 2016 Wine Review

Natalie's Score: 93/100

Pricing & Stock Information