Inspired by the European travels of Robert Mondavi,this Meritage blend is rich and potent, yet elegant and complex. It is a collage of the five classic Bordeaux red varieties: Cabernet Sauvignon, Petit Verdot, Malbec, Cabernet Franc, and Merlot. In the glass, it offers lavish dark plum, black cherry, and blackberry aromas along with a velvety texture and succulent mid-palate flavors. Its finish is impressively long and enhanced by wellintegrated tannins. A superb match for hearty, richly flavored foods such as grilled rib eye or porterhouse steak, lamb chops, osso bucco, and flavorful cheeses, this Meritage turns any meal into a special occasion.

Wine maker notes

We gently crushed and destemmed the fruit, then fermented the must (juice and skins) in temperature-controlled tanks at 85°F for seven days until dry. We kept the new wine on the skins for an additional 14 days to soften tannins and develop more complex flavors. One hundred percent of the wine underwent malolactic fermentation to enhance depth and roundness, then aged 12 months in French and American oak barrels to add a subtle, toasty nuance.

Technical notes

13.5% abv Residual Sugar:2.0 g/l