Accolades
92 Points | Jeb Dunnuck
90 Points | Wine & Spirits
90 Points | Wine Advocate
Gold Medal | San Francisco Chronicle Wine Competition
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.
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.
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.
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.
92 Points | Jeb Dunnuck
90 Points | Wine & Spirits
90 Points | Wine Advocate
Gold Medal | San Francisco Chronicle Wine Competition
94 Points | Jeb Dunnuck | June 2018
92 Points | The Wine Advocate | August 2018
Gold Medal | Sonoma County Harvest Fair | September 2018
94 Points | Harvest Challenge
92 Points | Jeb Dunnuck
93 Points | Wine Enthusiast
91 Points | Jeb Dunnuck
Gold Medal | San Francisco Chronicle Wine Competition