Blasted Church Merlot 2008, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, Canada

The province of British Columbia has many wineries with very original names, with equally unique labels.  Blasted Church and other like Dirty Laundry Vineyards,  Laughing Stock Vineyards and See Ya Later Ranch to name a few. I recommend you visit the Blasted Church winery web site to learn more about the story behind there name. 
http://blastedchurch.com/

Their name and labels may be fun, but there wines are very serious, like their Merlot, with aromas of dark cherry, plum, coffee, earthy barnyard saddle leather. On the mouthfeel, full bodied, alcohol coming in at 14.8%, balance acidity and chalky, grainy tannins. Very good length on the finish with a rich combination of fruit, cedar and smoke flavours lingering. What this Merlot lacks in elegance today, is more than made up by sheer power and generous flavours, the elegance will come later as it sheds some of its oak. The excellent 2007 vintage of this Merlot is still available here at the LCBO, but has the usual inflated price of BC wines here in Ontario at $38.95. Score 90 points.

Purchased at the Vancouver Playhouse International Wine Festival March 02, 2012 at $25.99