Coyote's Run Meritage 2008

When we travelled to Ontario this summer, we knew we'd be driving around both the Niagara and Prince Edward County regions so we brought a wine shipping box. However, the trip turned out to be mainly about visiting family, so we didn't actually find the time to visit any wineries. We did haul a few bottles back, but these were some last-minute selections hastily chosen from what may be the best liquor store in the world, the Summerhill LCBO in Toronto. I don't regret how we chose to spend our time in Ontario for a minute, but on the other hand we did pass up an opportunity to visit two of Canada's three main wine regions in person.

So, I feel like we owe one to eastern Canadian wines. Coyote's Run is a fairly well-known winery from Niagara-in-the-Lake, but not one I have ever tried. So on a whim I picked up the Meritage from the Superstore Liquorstore a couple of days ago. Let's dive in....

The Coyote's Run Meritage is dark purple and has a very compelling bouquet which I had a hard time putting my finger on but the back label correctly identifies as violet. The wine is a spicy blueberry concoction that would more than compliment any red meat or tomato pasta dish. I think there are hints of chocolate, leather and tobacco, but subtle enough to give this floral wine some depth without overpowering. I think this would be a killer if matched with the right food, maybe steak tartare. Very impressive. The next time there is rare meat on the menu I will look for this one.

91 points. $19 at Superstore.