Textural, elegant, complex.
Painted Rock's estate grown 2012 Merlot was aged 18 months in 50% new French oak.
Plums and sweet currents spill out of the glass followed by mixed briary berries, chocolate, vanilla liqueur and pipe tobacco. It is wonderfully fresh with an incredible textural component. Youthful still, but elegant with a tightly wound finish that will reward you in the upcoming 1-5 years.
©copyright 2014 Daenna Van Mulligen
Wine Scores Reviewed - December 19th, 2014

Complex, silky, polished.
I've been reviewing Painted Rock's wines for a decade, they were impressive from the onset but as the vines have matured they've only gotten better. Thanks to the site, the Skinner family's painstaking planning and vine selection, and direction of international winemaker and viticulturist, Alain Sutre, the wines are receiving international attention.
The 2017 Merlot was matured 18 months in 30% new French oak barrels. This vintage began slower than 2016, with a cool and wet spring delaying bud burst slightly. Those delays didn’t last long with the first official day of summer bringing with it a warm, dry summer with temperatures above average and below average rainfall. The result was small berries, ripe, complex and with deep concentration; smaller berries means lower juice yield and an overall smaller harvest.
Expect plums and red currents, vanilla, pipe tobacco, savoury spices and leather with velvety undertones of sweet cherry and purple flowers. It has a silky palate and supple weight with notable buoyancy. Complex and elegant the tannins are polished but still youthful and a bit dominating. Decant now or cellar up to a decade.
©copyright 2021 Daenna Van Mulligen
Wine Scores Reviewed - April 21st, 2021

Finesse, succulent, generous.
Each year, as the vines get older the Painted Rock wines get better and are awarded with international attention, thanks in part to international winemaker and viticulturist, Alain Sutre. This vintage, the Merlot was matured in oak barrels, 30% new, for 18 months.
Expect aromas of cherry liqueur, vanilla, damson plums, baking spices and chocolate covered toffee. The palate is equally succulent and attractive with supple weight and generous fruit layered with toffee, licorice, vanilla and spiced cocoa. Excellent structure and finesse boosted by a lengthy finish.
©copyright 2015 Daenna Van Mulligen
Wine Scores Reviewed - December 10th, 2015

Smoked, savoury, earthy.
I've been reviewing Painted Rock for a decade, and even though they were impressive from the onset, as the vines get older the wines have international attention, thanks in part to international winemaker and viticulturist, Alain Sutre. The Merlot was matured 18 months in 30% new French oak barrels,
Expect smoked plums, dark cocoa, toasted spices and leather aromas. Those bittersweet flavours are equally revealed in the mouth; dark plums and wild berries, savoury and earthy spice notes, espresso and tealeaf flavours dominate. It still has a brooding character, it seems to be the most earthy and aloof wine of the bunch.
©copyright 2019 Daenna Van Mulligen
Wine Scores Reviewed - January 28th, 2019

Plush, postured, fresh.
Thanks to the stunning site above Skaha Lake, the Skinner family's painstaking planning and vine selection, as well as the direction of international winemaker and viticulturist, Alain Sutre, Painted Rock's outstanding wines are receiving international attention.
The 2020 Merlot was small batch fermented and matured 18 months in 30% new French oak barrels.
Expect a plush and inviting nose of spiced plums and black cherry, licorice and mocha atop olive tepanade and leather. Salted licorice, vanilla, cherry chocolate and spiced oak flavours line the palate. It's a fresh and postured wine, silky and a little savoury. Good length and structure.
©copyright 2022 Daenna Van Mulligen
Wine Scores Reviewed - December 12th, 2022