Review: Mike Weir Wine
2007 Cabernet Merlot
by Jeffrey Reed, Editor, LondonOntarioGolf.com

Recently, Mike Weir announced that all of his Mike Weir Wines will now be made in conjunction with Château des Charmes of Niagara-on-the-Lake, a winery which 30 years ago planted Niagara's first commercial vinifera vineyard. It only made sense that Canada’s most decorated golfer has twinned efforts with one of the most highly decorated wineries in Canadian history.

"Our goals for the future of the Mike Weir Wines were to continually build on the quality of the wine, grow our production, and maintain the winery's strong ties to Niagara," said Weir. "Partnering with Château des Charmes helps us achieve all three with their state-of-the-art facilities, a six-generation wine background and unprecedented premium grape supply. I'm very excited about the success that the Mike Weir Wines have enjoyed in its first three years and I am thrilled about the opportunity to partner with a true leader in the Canadian wine industry."

Here at London Ontario Golf, we have raved about Mike Weir Wine since its inception. Dollar for dollar, you will not find a domestic wine more pleasing to the palate. After a round of golf, and enjoying some fresh fish or seasoned steak, our family and guests have raved about Weir’s wine offerings before, during and after our fare.

This month, we review Mike Weir Wine’s 2007 Cabernet Merlot, and we think it’s Weir’s best red effort to-date.

A perfect blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Cabernet Franc offers a balanced, well-structured medium bodied red. Raspberries, cassis and dark chocolate intertwine to provide a plush tannic dry finish. The mix of fruit, tannin and acidity plus smooth rounded texture on the palate make for an ideal pairing with beef, lamb, duck and aged cheeses.

We paired this Cabernet Merlot with pepper-seasoned New York steak, grilled jumbo shrimp in garlic butter and cheese-laden roast potatoes. During one of the first warm weekend evenings of the 2009 summer, we thoroughly enjoyed toasting a good round of golf and an absolutely delightful evening of good food and good friendship.

The 2007 Cabernet Merlot from Mike Weir Wine can certainly be enjoyed now, and it will continue to develop for two to five years. All three fruit in this blend were harvested in mid-October from the Château des Charmes vineyards. Small batch fermentation with hand punchdown of the cap was followed by 12 months of barrel aging in Allier and Troncais oak. The varietal composition of the cuvee is 63% Cabernet Sauvignon, lending to the tannic structure and backbone; 20% Merlot, contributing to the ripe fruit velvety flavour and texture; and 17% Cabernet Franc, adding to the fleshy round mouth feel.

In the spring of 2005 Canadian golf icon Mike Weir launched Mike Weir Estate Winery to showcase the world class wines being made in Ontario's Niagara Peninsula and to support the Mike Weir Foundation. The Foundation was formed in 2004 by Mike and Bricia Weir to assist children in physical, emotional and financial need and since the wineries inception, proceeds from the sale of Weir Wines have gone to the Mike Weir Foundation.

The wines were instantly a critical and consumer success across Canada garnering numerous gold medals, critics acclaim and unprecedented consumer acceptance. Mike Weir Wine brought on 14-year industry veteran Barry Katzman as president to work directly with Mike's brother – and friend of London Ontario Golf, Jim Weir – on a national quality and growth strategy. The winery announced plans to produce wine in conjunction with the famed Chateau des Charmes in Niagara-on-the-Lake.

Furthermore, the winery has entered into a development agreement with the Niagara Parks Commission to build Mike Weir Winery adjacent to Whirlpool Golf Course along the Niagara Parkway. This announcement has come on the heels of the wineries plans to build a Mike Weir Winery in British Columbia's Okanagan Valley on a new golf course designed by Mike Weir. Finally, the winery announced a historic selling and marketing agreement with world-wide leader Diageo Brands, the owners of Smirnoff, Guinness, Baileys and Johnny Walker to promote and sell Weir Wines all over Canada and the world.

The 2007 Cabernet Merlot from Mike Weir Wine is, in our books, world-class.

For information on Mike Weir Wine, visit www.mikeweirwine.com.

2007 Cabernet Merlot
VQA: Niagara Peninsula
Size: 750 mL
Sugar: Dry (0)
TA: 5.9 g/L
PH: 3.45
$18.95.