Bordertown Merlot 2020 Wine Review

Natalie's Score: 92/100

Bordertown Merlot from the Okanagan Valley V.Q.A. is a deeply concentrated, full-bodied BC red that opens with aromas of dark plum, black cherry, and warm toasted oak with a hint of mocha. On the palate it's rich and plush, with layers of ripe blackberry and dried blueberry, a thread of baking spice, and long, supple tannins that carry through to a satisfying finish. Consulting winemaker Daniel Bontorin crafts this wine using 100% estate-grown fruit from the Gill family's sun-drenched Osoyoos vineyards, just north of the Washington State border. Mohan Gill and his family spent over 20 years building their reputation as growers before opening Bordertown in 2015, and that deep familiarity with the land shows in the glass. Cellar it through 2028. Pull the cork alongside a sautéed pork tenderloin with a cherry reduction, where the wine's dark fruit echoes the sauce, or try it with a gourmet mushroom-and-aged-cheddar burger for a Friday night pairing that punches well above its weight.

Merlot food pairings: gourmet burgers, grilled sausages, sautéed pork tenderloin.

Heavenly Hamburger Wine

This Bordertown Merlot 2020 was reviewed on June 13, 2026 by Natalie MacLean

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Please note that our reviews are based on a variety of sources: samples sent to our team, those we purchase in store, tasting events, those tasted in restaurants and while traveling domestically and internationally.

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