Taste: Deep dark, black purple rim reveals a youthful nose of blackberries, cassis, hints of eucalyptus/bell pepper, and that classic Rutherford "dust" (ahhh, the smell of Rutherford). Deeply structured on the palate and, again, very youthful. You will want to decant this wine for sure.
Cameron Confidential: We secured the Rutherford Cabernet component for this wine before Cab prices began to climb, and the Merlot components come from $60 – $100 bottle programs from famous Napa wineries. Due to the downmarket for Merlot we were able to source this whole blend at a very "effective" price. The Merlot components, along with a dollop of Carmenere, really buff up this blend in terms of structure and richness.
It's important to note the difference between this wine and our past Meritage blends, which were Merlot based and a bit softer in style. The Cabernet in this blend—in unison with the really intense Merlot and Carmenere components— creates a blend much more in the traditional style of Napa Meritage wines: highly structured and intense, but with an approachability achieved through the magic of blending.
Staff Picks
Lot 103
2006 Napa Valley Meritage
- Vintage: 2006
- Appellation: Rutherford, St. Helena
- Grape: 50% Cabernet Sauvignon, 35% Merlot, 15% Carmenere
- Alcohol by volume: 14.5%
- Production: 13,557 cases
- Release date: February 26, 2009
- Drink/Hold: Now and through 2022
- Online availability: Sold out
Downloads
- Lot 103 sell sheet (pdf)
- Lot 103 8.5 x 11 (pdf)
- Lot 103 small notes (pdf)
