Domaine O’Vineyards Stranger Stranger 2010: 94 pts

Editor’s Rating

94

Winery: Domaine O’Vineyards
Wine: Stranger Stranger
Vintage:  2010
Varietal: 100% Merlot
Score: 94/100
Price: GBP £15.99 USD $23.40

Upon first sniff, one could be forgiven for thinking this wine was a top end Bordeaux, think St Emilion, or even Pomerol. Surely it can’t be a product of the Languedoc? Least of all a single varietal Merlot!

The nose is ripe at first, with blackcurrant and an apparent smokiness, closing out to beautifully endearing cedar and cigar box notes. In the mouth big, plush, powerful flavors of dark fruit cascade around, tingling every taste bud, before more subtle, secondary and tertiary flavors arrive, all supported with a linear acidity and polished tannins.

This wine has great structure, a sublime, over length finish and a pronounced intensity. It’s a real show stopper. For best results, decant for as long as you can resist. Pairs beautifully with mildly seasoned duck and lamb.