Meritage is pronounced like heritage. Meritage is a licensed name which started back in the late 1980’s. A Meritage wine can be made with these Bordeaux type grapes: Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Malbec, Merlot, Petit Verdot and according to meritagewine.org/red-meritage, St. Macaire, Gros Verdot and Carmenère. I did not know about these last three grapes.
If there is any other type of grape in the blend then it is only a ‘blend’ , it would not qualify as a Meritage Wine. Also, one grape cannot be more than 90% of the wine, according to meritagewine.org.
Copeland Creek 2002 Meritage
This Meritage has three of the classic Bordeaux grapes: 46% Cabernet Sauvignon, 39% Cabernet Franc, 15% Merlot. And, for me I like it when there is more Cab Franc and less Merlot. It has a 13.9% abv. It is from the Sonoma Coast and bottled by: Copeland Creek Vineyards.
This Meritage puts the big berry flavors on the sidelines and has a strong starting lineup of cherry flavors. It is like they squeezed some black cherries and red cherries to make this wonderful taste profile. The Franc grapes and Merlot grapes seem to be in control with a nice supple texture and earthy structure to keep things together. There is a soft and delicate herbal like spice in the background.
If you can find a bottle of this 2002 buy it – it is still very good and the big cherry notes are a singing.
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