VINEYARDS Our 2014 Meritage showcases the finest red blend from our Paso Robles vineyards. Our Keyes Canyon Vineyard, situated along the banks of the Estrella River, offers a distinctive combination of gravelly and sandy clay loam soil types for ripening the individual blocks of Bordeaux varieties. The characteristic hot days, paired with cool nights of the Paso Robles AVA, allow for an extended growing season in which flavor, skin, and seed tannin maturity can be achieved while maintaining balanced acidity. This Bordeaux blend upholds the fact that stressed vines make the best wine.

WINEMAKING The Meritage designation on our label assures that this wine is a blend of at least two of the red Bordeaux varieties. With this vintage of our rich and complex 2014 Meritage, we blended 55% Cabernet Sauvignon, 22% Merlot, 18% Petit Verdot, and 5% Malbec. Cabernet Sauvignon provides a foundation of dark fruits, structure, and density; Merlot and Malbec round out the mid-palate with luscious fruit; and Petit Verdot adds support with additional tannins, rich color, and incredible fruit freshness. We aged all of the wine in a combination of French and American oak barrels for 18 months.

SENSORY EVALUATION

COLOR: Deep crimson AROMAS: Mocha, ripe plum, and blackberry, with cocoa and a mélange of baking spices FLAVORS: a rich, exquisite mouthfeel, velvety tannins, and ripe fruit balanced with notes of chocolate and French vanilla FINISH: Velvety tannins complement a lengthy, utterly elegant finish