Meritage 2020 – Tawse Winery

Overview

Tawse Winery’s Meritage 2020 is a premium Bordeaux-style blend produced in only 1000 bottles, crafted from top-quality, hand-picked fruit. This wine showcases exceptional depth, richness and balance, uniting Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc and Merlot into a powerful yet refined expression of Niagara’s superb 2020 vintage. The palate is structured but polished, with vibrant acidity, firm yet silky tannins and a long, satisfying finish. Built for longevity, it will evolve beautifully over the next decade, offering increasing complexity and elegance with time. Contains sulfites.

History

The Meritage project was born from Tawse’s ambition to create a world-class red wine inspired by Bordeaux while fully expressing the character of the Niagara Peninsula. The outstanding 2020 season provided ideal conditions: warm days, cool nights and perfectly balanced ripening. Hand selection of fruit from top sites ensured only pristine grapes entered the blend, resulting in a wine of remarkable concentration. The extremely limited production highlights its artisanal nature and the winery’s commitment to absolute quality.

Vineyard Philosophy

Grapes are sourced from sustainably farmed vineyards, where soil vitality and biodiversity are central to the growing process. Cabernet Sauvignon contributes structure and tannin, Cabernet Franc adds aromatic lift and herbal complexity, while Merlot brings softness and roundness. Manual harvesting allows for precise selection, ensuring that only the finest clusters are used for this exclusive cuvée.

Winemaking Approach

The three varieties are vinified separately with meticulous temperature control to preserve purity and intensity. The wine matures in French oak barrels, developing depth, complexity and a fine-grained texture. The judicious use of oak amplifies the wine’s natural richness without overshadowing the fruit. The final blend is powerful, layered and gracefully structured, showcasing the full potential of Niagara’s terroir.

Tasting Notes

Colour: deep ruby with garnet reflections.
Nose: cassis, blackberry, black cherry dipped in dark chocolate, tobacco leaf, pencil shavings and sweet smoke.
Palate: robust, with firm but refined tannins, lively acidity, layers of dark fruit, pepper, herbs and a long, persistent finish.

Food Pairings

Pair with rare-grilled flank steak, roasted lamb, braised meats, stuffed Portobello mushrooms, game dishes or hearty stews. Also excellent on its own after three hours of decanting when enjoyed young.

Technical Sheet

• Appellation: Niagara Peninsula

• Blend: 50% Cabernet Sauvignon – 27% Cabernet Franc – 23% Merlot

• Vintage: 2020

• Production: 1000 bottles

• Aging: French oak barrels

• Alcohol: 13.5%

• Serving temperature: 16–18°C

• Farming: sustainable

• Allergens: contains sulfites

The history of Tawse Winery

Founded in 2001 by Canadian entrepreneur Moray Tawse, the winery stands on the slopes of the Twenty Mile Bench, one of the most prestigious areas of the Niagara Peninsula. From the outset, the goal was to craft Canadian wines capable of standing alongside top international labels, combining technical precision with deep respect for the land. Over the years Tawse has earned major accolades, including multiple awards as Canada’s Winery of the Year, establishing it as a leading force in Ontario’s wine scene. Despite its growth, the winery remains faithful to its founding values: authenticity, discipline and a relentless pursuit of excellence.

Vineyard philosophy

Tawse Winery cultivates vineyards on limestone-based, well-drained soils ideal for Chardonnay, Riesling, Pinot Noir and Cabernet Franc. The agricultural approach is strictly organic and biodynamic, fully certified and implemented with daily commitment. Biodynamic preparations, compost made on-site, biodiversity and adherence to natural rhythms form the core of the philosophy, aimed at maintaining living, healthy soils. Manual work is essential—from pruning to harvesting—ensuring careful control of each parcel and precise grape selection. The cool climate of Ontario encourages slow ripening and remarkable aromatic purity.

Winemaking

In the cellar Tawse blends technical expertise with artisanal precision. The gravity-flow underground facility allows gentle handling of the grapes, minimizing mechanical intervention and preserving freshness. Fermentations rely on both indigenous yeasts and controlled techniques depending on style and varietal. Ageing takes place in stainless steel, concrete, French oak barrels and foudres, with a focus on micro-oxygenation and varietal clarity. The goal is to create wines that reflect the Niagara Peninsula’s identity through tension, mineral drive and clean, expressive aromatics.

Distinctive character

Tawse Winery excels in harmonizing nature, technique and discipline, producing wines of purity, elegance and unmistakable terroir expression. A benchmark for biodynamic viticulture in cool climates, the estate continues to invest in sustainability, research and precision farming. Each bottle captures a rare balance between European tradition and Canadian spirit, offering an authentic and contemporary wine experience. Tawse stands today as one of the most dynamic and influential wineries in North America.