Seth's Humidor

Sterling's Vinter's Collection

Meritage you probably wonder what it means when seeing it on  a bottle but the answer is very easy. Bordeaux, a region in France, has control over the name on any wines made in the Bordeaux-style so the name Meritage emerged. Now to be a meritage wine, or a wine made in the Bordeaux-style, the wine must must be made from a blend of at least two or more of the following varieties: Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Petit Verdot, Malbec or Carmenère, with no varietal comprising more than 90% of the blend. Sterling Vineyards collected grapes from across Central Coast, California in 2018 to make this wine. The wine is 57% Cabernet Sauvignon, 37% Merlot, 3% Cabernet Franc, 2% Petit Verdot and 1% Malbec. Sterling Vineyards makes wines in Calistoga, California in Napa and is a fairly large winery.  

The wine has a wonderful color of Tyrian Purple to it and has aromas of raspberries and dark chocolate. The wine is very round and has a finish that lingers on your palate. Notes of vanilla, chocolate, blackberries and raspberries are present  in the taste. It is medium in tannins and is definitely medium in body.  The finish does have a minor bite to it but it is more flavorful than unpleasant. This would be a great wine with any grilled meats and summer or fall vegetables.

I would have to give this wine a 90 and consider it to be a wine year round. There are some wines that just don't pair well with some seasons but this wine would do wonderfully anytime. I am a big fan of Meritage's/Bordeaux's so I look forward to trying it again and am eager to see future vintages. Every grape in this wine shows its characteristics which is a perk in my book because sometimes wines are not made in a way so that you can pick out the grapes. 

Sterling Meritage 2018