Drink.  Learn.  Laugh.  Repeat.

Welcome Back!Sign in here:

Not Registered?Become one of our thirsty clan 326,593 strong:

Register Today!

Gray Monk Estate Winery Monk's Blend 2019 Wine Review

Gray Monk Estate Winery Monk's Blend 2019

Gray Monk Estate Winery Monk's Blend 2019

British Columbia BC V.Q.A., Canada

Community Score:89/100

Community Reviews: 11

  Add My Review


Price: $17.49

Drink: 2021-2025

Bottle size: 750 ml

Alcohol: 13.3%

Sweetness: Dry

Wine Type: Red Wine


Winery: Gray Monk Estate Winery

Agent: Andrew Peller Limited

Natalie's Score: 91/100

This robust, tasty BC red is a blend of Syrah and Cabernet Sauvignon grapes. Aromas of dark berries, plums and smoke. Pair with with grilled steak and other meats.

This Gray Monk Estate Winery Monk's Blend 2019 was reviewed on May 20, 2021 by Natalie MacLean

  Add New Vintage

Pricing & Stock Information

  • BCLDB
  • 151767
  • $17.49 
  • Check Stock

Reviews and Ratings

L.J. Palmer WSET 3 rated this wine as 91/100 with the following review:

Deep ruby coloured wine, dry, with firm tannins and food friendly acidity and a pronounced aroma beginning with black cherry, blackberry, vanilla and black pepper that evolves to include a pot pourri/lavender note, a herbal note, and green pepper. Finish was of black fruit, green pepper and black pepper. This blend of Cabernet Sauvignon paired very well with grilled steak seasoned with crushed black pepper and rosemary. A pleasure to drink.
Andrea Shapiro rated this wine as 90/100 with the following review:

A blended red wine made from Syrah (73%) and 27% Cabernet Sauvignon (27%) from Okanagan Valley’s Gray Monk Winery. Grapes were harvested from the Similkameen and south Okanagan regions of British Columbia, with each variety aging for 8 months in barrel individually before blending. The bouquet opens up with blackberry, cherry and allspice. In the mouth this is dark and juicy with blueberry, dark earthy plum and cherry compote. Medium bodied with a silken tannic structure and sweet smoky spices lingering into the finish. This would be a great pairing for a smoked meat on rye with a dill pickle. Cheers!
Lori Kilmartin WSET3 - WSET3 Sommelier rated this wine as 90/100 with the following review:

2019 was the first vintage of Monk's Blend. In 2017 Peller Estates purchased the Gray Monk Estate Winery and I think this new easy drinking red blend is going to be a big seller of theirs.

Syrah and Cabernet Sauvignon are two aromatic grapes that impart aromas of spice, black pepper, black currants and blackberry. Very fruit forward with ripe blackberries and some spice on the palate. The mouthfeel is lush and the tannins soft - a very easy drinking wine! I think I would have liked a bit more grip on the tannins but would definitely buy this wine again. Tasted February 14/2021 and paired it with a Valentine's Steak Dinner from The Keg.
Christian Marcoux rated this wine as 90/100 with the following review:

From the lovely region of Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, the Gray Monk Winery delivers a delicious west-coast wine experience. The Grey Monk 2019, blended from Syrah and Cabernet Sauvignon, offers aromas of red plum, blueberry, lavender, spice, milk chocolate and cigar. Medium body with a solid balance, the wine shows charming drinkability and a round finish. Palate: plum, cherry, green peppercorn, leather, espresso, vanilla and cigar. Enjoy!
Jennifer Havers - WSET Level 3 rated this wine as 90/100 with the following review:

Blended from Syrah and Cabernet Sauvignon. Aromas of blackberry, raspberry, leather, and smoke with spicy black pepper notes. Full bodied and robust with some firm, drying tannins, bright acidity, and lots of ripe black fruit and berry notes on the palate, along with more smoke and spice on a medium+ finish. Enjoy with braised beef short ribs.
Lynn van der Linde - Certified Sommelier rated this wine as 89/100 with the following review:

The Okanakan Valley produces some of Canada’s best wines, particularly those grapes that require longer and warmer growing seasons. The grape yield in the valley during 2019 was smaller but powerful - damaged buds from early spring frost and a wetter than average September made the grapes that did survive that much more complex.
This 2019 Gray Monk blends Cabernet Sauvignon and Syrah grapes, boasting aromas of raspberries, vanilla, and leather, which transform into a tart plum finish, with a lovely balance in acidity and tannins.
Pairs perfectly with barbecued burgers or other barbecued meals.
Tasted February 2021.
Craig Haynes - WSET3 FWS SWS IWS rated this wine as 89/100 with the following review:

This syrah cabernet sauvignon blend featured appealing ruby and purple hues, attractive aromas of black cherries, tilled garden soil, smoke and spice backed by a bone dry palate punctuated with ripe dark fruit and spice flavours, a light touch structure and supple tannins. Crafted in British Columbia, this red blend revealed food friendly acidity, too. Serve with a grilled steak arugula salad. Enjoy.

Reviewed on February 10, 2021
Jay Denney rated this wine as 89/100 with the following review:

Syrah dominant, blended with Cab Sauv, this is one tasty little number.
Plenty of dark ripe fruit and hints of violet and pepper. Smooth tannins and enough acid to hold it up.
Pam Hatton rated this wine as 87/100 with the following review:

A ruby red wine with a nose of blueberry, plum and cranberry lead to herbs, pepper with a hint of leather. A rich mouthfeel of cherry, blackberry and cranberry finishes with peppery and vanilla flavours. Balanced acidity, light tannins and a soft oak finish make this an easy drinking, food friendly wine for pork, burgers and stews.
Colin McKone - Sommelier rated this wine as 87/100 with the following review:

Medium ruby in colour and teaming with aromas of black cherry, blackberries, vanilla and smoke. It is medium bodied with medium acidity & tannins and has flavours of tart black cherry, blackberry and black pepper.  This will pair well with hamburgers and other grilled red meats.  Tasted on July 1, 2021.

If you liked the Gray Monk Estate Winery Monk's Blend 2019, you might also like these wines:

Recipes for Gray Monk Estate Winery Monk's Blend 2019

WANT TO LEARN HOW TO

PAIR WINE
& FOOD?

Join me in a free online video class to learn the secrets to perfect pairings.

Wine of the Week

As featured on  

CTV Wine of the Week!

Wander + Found Sparkling Wine
Sparkling Cuveé Blanc Can

Natalie MacLean

Natalie MacLean offers North America's most popular online wine and food pairing classes. She was named the World's Best Drinks Writer at the World Food Media Awards in Australia.

Natalie has published two books with Random House, both selected as one of Amazon's Best Books of the Year.

Join 326,593 thirsty wine lovers who get access to all of her wine reviews by becoming a member of her site. Take a free online pairing class with her here.

FEEL LOST IN THE

LCBO?

Know the wines you want before you even get to the store with my wine reviews. Join now. It's free.

Red, White & Drunk All Over

  Best Books of the Year

Red, White & Drunk all over by Natalie MacLean

Natalie MacLean writes about wine with a sensuous obsession... and often laugh-out-loud funny... Terrific.

Rex Pickett, Sideways

Ms. MacLean is the disarming Everywoman. She loves wine, loves drinking ... ultimately, it's a winning formula.

Eric Asimov, The New York Times

GOT A SMARTPHONE?

Access my reviews on mobile with the bar code scanner.

GET NAT'S APP

Unquenchable: A Tipsy Search

  Best Books of the Year

Unquenchable by Natalie MacLean

Natalie MacLean is a new force in the wine writing world ‐ a feisty North American answer to Hugh Johnson and Jancis Robinson. She can write beautifully about wine.

The Financial Times of London

There are very few people in the wine world who "get it" and Natalie is one of those who brings more fun to a buttoned-up and stodgy game.

Gary Vaynerchuck, Wine Library TV

Starting a Wine Cellar?

Expert advice for all budgets

Insider tips on starting a wine cellar
From wine racks to underground caves, insider tips on size and space, number of bottles, ideal conditions and reputable resources.   learn more  

337,614

WINE
REVIEWS

326,593

ACTIVE
MEMBERS
Winner World's Best Drink Writer
WFour-Time Winner James Beard Foundation
Five-Time Winner Association of Food Journalists
Six-Time Winner Bert Greene Award
Best Wine Literature Book Gourmand World Cookbook Awards
Online Writer of the Year Louis Roederer International Wine Writing Award