Nk Mip Cellars Mer'r'iym Red 2017

Cellar for up to 9 years. No need to decant before serving.

Set at the southern end of the Osoyoos Indian Reserve in the Okanagan Valley, Nk’Mip Cellars is the very first Ingenous-owned North American winery. In the local Okanagan language the name of the winery translates as “bottomland” in reference to its geographic location. The terroir here is ideal for making top quality red wines thanks to the arid desert conditions and sunny summer days which help the grapes reach full ripeness.

Their flagship wine is named Mer'r'iym after the local word for “marriage” since the cuvee showcases the synergy between Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Cab Franc and Malbec. Styled as a big and beautiful Meritage wine, the fruit is sourced from vineyards in South Okanagan. Once in the winery it is fermented in stainless steel tanks and then matured in French oak barrels for 18 months.

Ripe crushed cherries, mocha and vanilla characterise the nose, deepening on the palate to cassis, blackberry and plum along with hints of winter spice and dark chocolate. Rich and robust, this full bodied cuvee has firm tannins, a well-developed structure and a long finish which makes it ideal to pair with beef stroganoff, porcini mushrooms, or a roasted leg of lamb.