A Pair Of Reds From A Safe Haven
Dry Creek Valley was untouched by the North Bay wildfires that tore through Napa and Sonoma in October. Although the damage to life and property was devastating, most of the grapes were already harvested at Dry Creek Vineyard and most other wineries in the area.
Dry Creek Valley Cabernet Sauvignon
I recently presented a “Wine 101” program to a community service organization. I brought this bottle with me to let the audience taste an example of an outstanding California Cabernet.
The wine is fruit forward, with moderate tannins. The flavors are rich with raspberry and cherry with a hint of pepper on the end. At least one attendee hurried to her wine shop to buy more bottles.
Dry Creek Valley Meritage
Meritage is the name given to American Bordeaux-style blends. In 1985, Dry Creek Vineyard founder David Stare was the first winemaker in California to produce a wine with Meritage on the label. The DCV experience with Meritage shows with every bottle.
The 2013 vintage is a blend of 40% Merlot, 33% Cabernet Sauvignon, 15% Cabernet Franc, 10% Malbec and 2% Petit Verdot. The grapes come from a combination of benchland and hillside vineyards and the vines are more than 15 years old. The wine is aged 21 months in French and Hungarian oak, with 30% being new.
We paired the Meritage with a delicious pork roast. This is an elegant wine with riffles of spice and dark fruit. The texture is silky and lush.
While single vineyard wines have been skyrocketing in popularity and production, it is worth remembering that some of the world’s greatest wines are carefully crafted blends. On their own, we love Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc – but assembled together by an artist-winemaker, they soar even higher.
Dry Creek Vineyard Meritage is a great value at $30 and a welcome choice for entertaining, a special meal, or just plain enjoying.
Full Disclosure: This wine was received as a marketing sample.
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