(November 25, 2017) … Back in 2010 Merlot was riding high in Ontario, and ’10 was a gorgeous vintage for reds. This Thirty Bench wine started off very slowly with simple aromas of oak and cassis … But the palate shows so much more, and it layered it all in slowly but surely: a pleasant dark fruit start, then 30 mins later it seems to be very oak oriented, another 20 minutes pass and a fruit explosion occurs plus vanilla shows up too; then the juiciness start to emerge and this wine just takes off. On the finish a spicy / peppery nuance begins to creep in all the while adding in elements of coffee bean and under-brush. What a beauty this is.