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96 Points | Harvest Challenge
92 Points | Wine & Spirits
Tasting Notes
Sumptuous and composed, this regal Bordeaux-style blend displays classic aromas of currant, vanilla, and black tea. Flavors of blackberry, dark chocolate, creamy truffle, and mocha are structured upon a bold velvety mouthfeel. Intrigue abounds in the lavish finish as expressive notes of sassafrass, black cherry, and clove emerge.
Vintage Notes
The 2017 growing season started out wet with record-breaking rainfall after several dry years. A mild spring led to a timely bud break and good fruit set, followed by ideal conditions of cool mornings and warm, sunny days throughout the summer months. A few days of intense heat at the beginning of September sped up ripening throughout the region. Well-timed picks meant the majority of the fruit was in by the first week of October. Beautiful color, well-defined aromatics, and outstanding flavor are all evident in this year’s vintage.
Vineyard Notes
For this Meritage blend, Winemaker Chris Louton sources fruit from both our Certified Sustainable Estate Vineyards as well as our grower partners. The Merlot comes from Sonoma Mountain, Dry Creek Valley, and Sonoma Valley. Cabernet Sauvignon comes from our Lagomarsino Vineyard in the Russian River Valley as well as the Moon Mountain District (Montecillo Vineyard). Malbec is sourced from our Wild Oak Vineyard at the winery in Sonoma Valley.
Winemaker Notes
Meritage wines are luxurious wines crafted solely from specific noble Bordeaux grape varietals. The name combines “merit,” reflecting the quality of the grapes, with “heritage,” recognizing the centuries-old tradition of blending, long considered the highest form of the winemaker’s art.
WINEMAKER
COLLECTION
GRAPE VARIETIES
52% Merlot
42% Cabernet Sauvignon
6% Malbec
42% Cabernet Sauvignon
6% Malbec
ALCOHOL
15 %
CASES PRODUCED
1041
AGING
20 Months
Bottling Date
Aug 2019
Barrel
French Oak, 50% New
