David Arthur Napa Valley Meritaggio
I took bride Linda out for belated birthday dinner with Pat R, sorority sister and birthday girl, too. We dined at Angelis Italian, our favorite neighborhood trattoria. I took this David Arthur Meritaggio 1997 Red Super Tuscan Blend along BYOB. Since we hold few Italian wines in our cellar, this Italian blend based on the Sangiovese varietal in the mix is the next best thing for an Italian dinner. It was a perfect accompaniment to the Artichoke Ravioli with cheese and the butternut squash gnocci entrees, moreso than my cheese ravioli and bolognese sauce which seemed bland and uninspiring against the big bold spicy complex wine.
Our visit to the David Arthur estate and vineyards was a highlight of our Napa Wine Experience in 2013 when we had two of the Long girls along to visit the Long Family,
estate (no relation) unfortunately.
This whimsical creative in Meritaggio label is the Long's artwork, a classic Meritage Bordeaux varietal blend composed of the five classic red Napa Valley Estate Bordeaux varietals: Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Merlot, Malbec and Petit Verdot, accented by the addition of the Tuscan varietal Sangiovese, also produced there on the property. The resulting complex but well orchestrated blend is branded “Meritaggio,” in recognition of the combination of French and Italian heritage with all the grand full boldness and expressiveness of Napa Valley fruits.
Sanviovese and Cabernet blends came into fashion in the 1960s and 1970s as producers from Tuscany began to experiment with the Bordeaux varietals. The results become legendary and these Super Tuscans as they came to be known now make up some of Italy's most famous wines.
Wow, I forgot how good this wine was! Looking back, my earlier ratings forecast my favorable impression from this tasting. We're getting down the last couple bottles from a case we purchased back on release. At twenty years of age, this is no doubt as good as ever and showing no signs of diminution.
Consistent with previous tasting notes when I wrote, "this may be at its apex as its showing well - bright and expressive. Deep dark ruby colored with tinge of purple, medium to full bodied, elegant, polished, smooth and delicious full forward sweet black currant, plum and red berry fruits accented by subtle smoke, black tea layer turning to silky smooth tannins on a full long finish." I would only add mention of the complexity and the tone of anise on the finish.
RM 93 points.
Interesting blend of 44% cab, 24% cab franc, 16% merlot, 8% sangiovese, and 8% petite verdot with 14.7% alcohol.
https://www.cellartracker.com/wine.asp?iWine=6106
I took bride Linda out for belated birthday dinner with Pat R, sorority sister and birthday girl, too. We dined at Angelis Italian, our favorite neighborhood trattoria. I took this David Arthur Meritaggio 1997 Red Super Tuscan Blend along BYOB. Since we hold few Italian wines in our cellar, this Italian blend based on the Sangiovese varietal in the mix is the next best thing for an Italian dinner. It was a perfect accompaniment to the Artichoke Ravioli with cheese and the butternut squash gnocci entrees, moreso than my cheese ravioli and bolognese sauce which seemed bland and uninspiring against the big bold spicy complex wine.
This whimsical creative in Meritaggio label is the Long's artwork, a classic Meritage Bordeaux varietal blend composed of the five classic red Napa Valley Estate Bordeaux varietals: Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Merlot, Malbec and Petit Verdot, accented by the addition of the Tuscan varietal Sangiovese, also produced there on the property. The resulting complex but well orchestrated blend is branded “Meritaggio,” in recognition of the combination of French and Italian heritage with all the grand full boldness and expressiveness of Napa Valley fruits.
Sanviovese and Cabernet blends came into fashion in the 1960s and 1970s as producers from Tuscany began to experiment with the Bordeaux varietals. The results become legendary and these Super Tuscans as they came to be known now make up some of Italy's most famous wines.
Consistent with previous tasting notes when I wrote, "this may be at its apex as its showing well - bright and expressive. Deep dark ruby colored with tinge of purple, medium to full bodied, elegant, polished, smooth and delicious full forward sweet black currant, plum and red berry fruits accented by subtle smoke, black tea layer turning to silky smooth tannins on a full long finish." I would only add mention of the complexity and the tone of anise on the finish.
RM 93 points.
Interesting blend of 44% cab, 24% cab franc, 16% merlot, 8% sangiovese, and 8% petite verdot with 14.7% alcohol.
https://www.cellartracker.com/wine.asp?iWine=6106
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