We tried this nice little meritage on a whim. It was very, very good. Extremely dark, almost black in color, it’s not too tannic and not overly oaked. We had it at Guard and Grace in Denver with a bone-in ribeye and it paired very well with the beef.
What is a meritage?
From Wikipedia: “Meritage is a brand for red and white Bordeaux-style wines without infringing on the Bordeaux (France) region’s legally protected designation of origin. Winemakers must license the Meritage trademark from its owner, the California-based Meritage Alliance. Member wineries are found principally in the United States, though increasingly elsewhere.”
Tasting Notes: From the Blackbird Vineyards website:
“The 2010 Blackbird Vineyards Arise exudes perfumes of cherry, blackberry, tobacco, and vanilla. Upon entry, the soft mouth- feel reveals flavors of black cherry, truffle, and subtle black olive which unfold into a succulent finish. The 2010 Napa Valley grape growing season presented fickle weather conditions due to the relatively cool spring coupled with unexpected heat spikes in late summer. The outcome was a lower-yielding harvest that produced supple wines with European-style texture and great complexity.”
Origin: United States, California, Napa Valley, Oak Knoll District
Blend is: 61% Merlot – 20% Cabernet Sauvignon – 19% Cabernet Franc
Aged: 21 months in French Oak barrels – 50% new, 50% seasoned 3.78
Drinks best: 2012 – 2022
Price: $50 or less.
Video from the Winemaker:
Available from the vineyard direct or search Wine-Searcher.
california meritage napa valley red wine
Last modified: April 18, 2014
