Sunce Winery & Vineyard, Winemaker’s Reserve Meritage 2011, Sonoma County, California

Tasting Note: A meritage blend that has the reservedness of red Bordeaux along with just-ripened fruit.

Deep-intensity purple in color, this wine has an aromatic, medium-plus-intensity nose of blackberry, red currant, black plum, red cherry and blossom.

On the palate the dry, medium-plus-bodied red blend has a supple texture with medium-intensity flavors suggested on the nose supported by medium acidity and well-integrated, medium tannin.

The wine is balanced and has midpalate complexity and flavor integration of its component parts.

A meritage blend worthy of its name.

Bottle Note: Sunce is a family winery located in the Russian River Valley appellation of Sonoma County specializing in small artisan lots of vineyard designated varietal wine and classic blends. The oil painting on the front label by Kika Godinovic depicts winemaker, Frane Franicevic’s family home in his ancestral port village of Sucuraj on the island of Hvar. Frane’s 2011 reserve meritage contains three of the five Bordeaux varietals: 50% merlot, 32% cabernet sauvignon, and 18% cabernet franc. Each vineyard block contributes its unique character; the merlot from Sonoma County’s most mountainous terrain, Knight’s Valley’s Vena Vineyard, the Clone 337 cabernet sauvignon from Sol y Sombra’s Knight Valley Vineyard, and the cabernet franc from Mazzera’s Dry Creek Valley Vineyard – all contribute to the complexity of this classic meritage, while beautifully illustrating why these grapes have been blended together for so long. Pairs well with multi-flavored, rich food that isn’t too spicy, like: lasagna, osso buco, casseroles, filet mignon and stews. Only 16 barrels made.