For our March Wine of the Month we are featuring our 2017 High Ridge Reserve Red. Our Reserve Red is a true show-stopper and always a guest favorite. One of the last few varietals that we have remaining from the exceptional 2017 harvest; this wine is not to be missed.
Comprised of 59.8% Merlot, 20.2% Cabernet Franc, and 20% Tannat our Reserve Red is our classic Meritage-style wine. Meritage (a combination of the words “merit” and “heritage”) is the New World’s counterpart to a Bordeaux wine; like with Champagne, unless the wine is made in the Bordeaux region of Franc, it cannot be called a Bordeaux. Hence, Meritage was born.
The designation was originally coined in 1988 in the Napa Valley in response to government requirements that a wine be comprised of at least 75% of a single varietal in order to be labeled as such. Any wine categorized as a Meritage wine must contain at least two of the traditional Bordeaux grape varieties including Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Malbec, Petit Verdot, St. Macaire, Gros Verdot, and Carmenère (though no single varietal may account for more than 90% of the blend). Far less common is the White Meritage, consisting of a blend of Sauvignon Blanc, Sémillon, and or Muscadelle de Bordelaise. Because two or more grape varieties are included, meritage blends are often notably more complex and nuanced than single varietal wines.
Our 2017 Reserve Red was aged for 18 months in both new (40%) and neutral (60%) French oak to produce a rich and luscious red with notes of plum, raspberries, black tea, and spices. A gorgeous deep mahogany red and boasting complex aromas of dark fruit and tobacco, this wine has excellent aging potential (our winemaker recommends 3-5 years). With only 40 cases remaining in our cellar, now is the time to snag your case before they’re gone (and with our Featured Wine of the Month case discount, you will NOT want to miss this deal!).
Come by the Tasting Room and enjoy a glass or a bottle; a perfect companion to our Mount Ida Farm burger.