Fort Berens Estate Winery Meritage 2022

Deborah Podurgiel WSET IV Candidate rated this wine as 93/100 with the following review:

A fabulous vintage year for this stunning 2022 Red Meritage from Fort Beren’s Estate Winery, Lillooet, British Columbia. Deep, dark crimson in the glass, the Merlot, Cabernet Franc and Cabernet Sauvignon (70%/19%/11%) blend is rich with aromas of dark chocolate, dark cherry, berry, plum and a subtle spiciness, smooth and velvety on the palate with a hint of smoky vanilla and a lingering chocolatey finish. A contemplative wine harmoniously balanced and with fine-grained silky tannins.

This Bordeaux-style red was produced from estate grown grapes and aged for 15 months in French oak barrels. A hot, dry summer and a cooler fall with comfortably warm days and cooler nights contributes to this expressive and refined red Meritage. Fort Beren’s Winemaker and Viticulturist, Alessandro Nel, “carefully crafted the final blend once the wine was removed from barrels.” A fine vintage for ageing, drink or hold this red beauty through 2029. Tasted August 2025.