2009 David Arthur “Mertaggio” Red Wine

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2009 David Arthur “Mertaggio” Red Wine

$59.99 (retail) Wine Club pricing reflected in receipt

Gary’s Notes: Back in the day when we were just dialing in our process for rolling out winemaker dinners, we were incredibly lucky to get David Long of David Arthur in Napa Valley to come to Auburn. The wine was fabulous, the dinner incredible and the party didn’t want to end. That all came flooding back for me when I joined Drew and a group of his friends for our Totally Tomatoes prix-fixe in the Wine Mine and we opened two bottles of David Arthur’s 2009 Meritaggio, a red blend.

By coincidence I had ordered Chef Alexander’s incredible pasta dish as my main course, and the Meritaggio was an absolute killer pairing. No kidding, it stopped me cold with the first sip. Quite simply an elegant explosion of flavors if that is even possible. Just thinking about it I want more—right now—even though it is barely 9 a.m. as I write this.

You gotta love the name. . .”Meritaggio”. . .an absolute Italian rip off of the high-falutin’ “Meritage” moniker used by some American red blends. This wine is comprised of all-Napa Valley fruit: 60% cabernet sauvignon from three blocks, 18% sangiovese, 9% cabernet franc and 5% petite verdot aged for 22 months on 60% new French oak. . . .add it up, and that’s how you get to $55 per bottle.

Winery Tasting Notes: “A dark ruby red color with a light magenta hue offers aromas of dark cherry, baked strawberries, rhubarb and hints of violet and lavender followed by milk chocolate and roasted coffee beans. The entry has a silky and chewy palate texture with flavors of fruit cake and blueberries. The finish has sweet tannins and carries a long finish with flavors of black currant jam and red licorice.”

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