48% Cabernet Sauvignon, 25% Merlot, 10% Cabernet Franc, 9% Malbec and 8% Petit Verdot from Central Coast, California.
Sample submitted for review. SRP of $18 and available for as low as $12.
From the bottle:
“Hahn Winery began in 1980 through the vision of Nicky and Gaby Hahn. The Hahns’ children, Philip and Caroline, share their parents’ pioneering spirit and passion for wine. As the next generation of leadership, they represent the family’s continuing commitment to high-quality, handcrafted wines.
14.5% Alcohol”
Today’s wine is the second in our new series on Meritage. In our last post, we gave a brief overview of Meritage wines, a term that was created in the late 1980’s because of a desire to distinguish California wines blended from the traditional Bordeaux varieties. This desire likely dates all the way back to the infamous “Judgement of Paris” in 1976 when a blind tasting ranked California red and white wines ahead of the very best and most renowned French wines. (Much to the horror of the French, even the French judges chose the wines from California!) Years later, California vintners decided they needed their own term to reflect the high quality of their Bordeaux style blends, and the term Meritage was born.
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This new category seems to have struck a chord with consumers because according to the Meritage Alliance, Meritage has been the fastest growing wine category for three straight years. Today we have another excellent example of a Meritage well under $20, this time from Hahn Winery. You may remember Hahn from their fantastic Pinot Noir which has been a staple on our Top 10 Reds Under $20 list.
The 2010 Hahn Winery Central Coast Meritage begins with enticing aromas of dark berries, spice, vanilla, caramel and a little cedar. It tastes rich and fruity with flavors of black cherry, cola, plum, molasses and licorice wrapped up in a smooth and spicy texture. It ends dry, with lots of spice, vanilla and caramel that lasts for a long time. Wonderful stuff in its own right, this definitely ain’t no second class Bordeaux.
Wine in the “Make Mine A Meritage” series:
- Lyeth Meritage 2010 – Make Mine A Meritage Wine #1
- Hahn Winery Central Coast Meritage 2010 – This ain’t no second class Bordeaux.
- Dry Creek Vineyard Sonoma County Meritage 2008 – Smooth Drinking Ahead!
- Fox Run Vineyards Meritage 2010 – Proof the Finger Lakes offers a lot more than Riesling.
- Arrowhead Red Meritage 2008 – It’s easy to fall for this Meritage from Niagara.
- Dry Creek Vineyard The Mariner Meritage 2008 – Splice the mainbrace!
- Estancia Reserve Meritage 2009 – Sweet oak and rich fruit wrapped up in a smooth package.
- Kirkland Signature Rutherford Napa Valley Meritage 2011 – A Sure Thing!
- Chateau Ste Michelle Artist Series Meritage 2008 – A Work of Art
- Arrowhead Spring Vineyards Meritage Reserve 2008 – A blackberry patch in a bottle.
- Franciscan Estate Magnificat Napa Valley Meritage 2009 – Magnificent Magnificat.
See a listing of local retailers selling this wine here.
