Sunce Winery & Vineyard, Winemaker’s Reserve Franicevic Series Meritage 2010, Sonoma, California

Tasting Note: A good weekday, Bordeaux-styled blend that is decidedly in the red-fruit wine camp.

Medium-intensity ruby in color, this wine has an aromatic, medium-plus-intensity nose of just-ripened blackberry, red plum, red cherry, red currant, strawberry, raspberry and blossom.

On the palate the dry, medium-plus-bodied red blend has medium-intensity flavors suggested on the nose supported by medium acidity and slightly-grippy, medium-plus tannin.

There is midpalate complexity and balance between the individual red-fruit components such that the wine presents as a somewhat-lighthearted red with a fun streak of fruit.

Bottle Note: Sunce is a family located in the Russian River Valley appellation of Sonoma County. We specialize in small artisan lots of varietal wine and classic blends. “To find eternity in a grain of sand or in a drop of wine.” Frane’s 2010 reserve meritage contains four of the five Bordeaux varietals: 32% merlot, 25% cabernet sauvignon, 22% cabernet franc and 21% petite verdot. Each vineyard block contributes its unique character; the merlot commemorates the late Truman King’s Sonoma Valley vineyard, the Clone 2 cabernet sauvignon from the Alexander Valley appellation, the cabernet franc from the Mazzera’s Dry Creek Valley vineyard and the petit verdot is from the Russian River Valley – all contribute to the complexity of this classic meritage, while beautifully illustrating why these grapes have been blended together for so long. Only 4 barrels made.