2021 Meritage

Jodar Vineyard, El Dorado

Tasting Notes

We love this wine’s berry jam opulence with baking spice and pepper aromas. It has a mouthwatering juiciness on the mid palate with hearty tannins throughout and berry pie flavors. With a structure that is sturdy yet approachable, the finish on this wine lingers with a rich taste similar to dark chocolate.

Winemaking Notes

The components of this blend were all fermented separately at the peak of their ripeness, driving rich and full fruit flavors. After primary fermentations were completed, extended macerations took place before pressing to extract more tannin and structure from the resulting wines. During this extended maceration, malolactic fermentation took place naturally, softening the acid structure in the resulting wine. The finished wine was then pressed, blended, and aged in oak.

Aging

This wine was aged in 75% new French medium plus toasted oak and 25% new American medium toasted oak. This oak blend was used to create a balance between subtle baking spice nuances and a rich and round mouthfeel.

This wine will age for another 5 years from its release in January 2025.

Food Pairing

Taste this wine with Chef Lisa Scott’s Jambalaya at our release party! She chose that pairing because this wine is delicious with Andouille Sausage and the complex flavors of Jambalaya. It also pairs well with her cream of mushroom soup! This wine pairs well with full-flavored, aged cheeses like gouda or sharp cheddar. Its acidity will balance with a variety of tomato-based dishes. Its tannins will stand up to the flavors of grilled beef or lamb. Try it with grilled, stuffed portobellas for a vegetarian or vegan pairing.

Wine Specs

81% Cabernet Sauvignon, 13% Merlot, 6% Cabernet Franc

14% alcohol

121 cases produced