2023 Meritage

Tasting Notes:

Bella Terra Vineyards’ flagship Meritage is an elegant wine from another solid vintage that showcases the true potential of Cabernet and Merlot in the Four Mile Creek Sub Appellation, the home of our estate vineyards. 

Carefully selected parcels of our oldest vineyards are the source for this blend of 34% Cabernet Sauvignon, 32% Cabernet Franc, 27% Merlot with a 8% addition of estate grown Malbec. Each varietal is aged individually in predominantly neutral French oak barrels for 20 months to lend the wine structure without overpowering its natural complex nose and palate. Every vintage, before bottling our winemaker searches out only the best barrels to assemble the final blend. Like all of our reserve red wines, our Meritage (a wine term that combines the words “merit” and “heritage”) is made with minimal intervention and bottled unfiltered to preserve its integrity and prolong its aging potential.

On the nose, enticing and captivating notes of cherry, cassis, fruit cake and baking spice are supported by those typical Cabernet Sauvignon aromas of cigar box and cocoa.

The velvety structure of our Meritage leads to an intriguing palate of more cherry notes and baking spice with the Malbec showing its presence with a hint of watermelon candy. The wine concludes with an elegant and velvety finish, leaving a lasting impression.  

Ageability: Drink now with some decanting through 2030.

Food Pairing: A grilled rib-eye steak with a red wine reduction.

Wine Information:

Appellation: Four Mile Creek

Alcohol: 13.5%

Residual Sugar: 2.2 g/L