ARTHUR 10 MERITAGGIO
The David Arthur Estate is located high on Pritchard Hill, on the eastern side of the Napa Valley. The rough mountain terrain and rocky red soils provide ideal growing conditions for wine grapes such as Cabernet Sauvignon. In 1978, Donald Long and his 28 year old son David began the epic job of building roads, clearing land and finally planting wine grapes. Although David lacked a formal viticultural education, he learned hands-on by working in the vineyards and cellars of local wineries such as the Chappellet and Joseph Phelps. The first vintage of Chardonnay was harvested in 1985, followed by Cabernet Sauvignon in the nineties. A s his experience and knowledge of the land grew, David learned the ability of these hills to grow the very finest wine grapes. Today, with the help of a highly insightful team, David Arthur continues to cultivate rich concentrated wine grapes that in turn help them craft distinctive and memorable wines.Meritaggio is the brainchild of the Long brothers. Wanting to fulfill his desire of producing a fine Meritage blend, David set out to find clones of the five classic Bordeaux varietals. On his travels, he came across Sangiovese, which stole the spotlight from any Malbec he had ever tasted. Bob had the brilliance to name the wine “Meritaggio” in honor of Sangiovese’s Italian Heritage.
A blend of 72% Cabernet Sauvignon, 16% Sangiovese, 6% Merlot, 3% Petite Verdot, and 3% Cabernet Franc, this densely colored dark ruby red wine is packed with a complexity of aromas beginning with baked cherry, plum and cassis. Thin layers of earth tones- wild sage- mint and tobacco. The palate is full and concentrated in the front and middle palate. Layered with baked fruit cake, wild currants-blackberries with a long chewy finish and a persistence of Sangiovese tannin.
ROBERT PARKER'S WINE ADVOCATE 93 POINTS - " I was deeply impressed with the wines I tasted at David Arthur this year. Winemaker Nile Zacherle has done a brilliant job with these new and upcoming releases. The David Arthur style is all about richness without excess heaviness. In addition to the wines below, I also tasted a Nebbiolo from the 2011 harvest that is easily one of the most interesting California Nebbiolos I have ever come across.
"David Arthur’s 2010 Red Wine Meritaggio Estate is drop-dead gorgeous. Juicy dark cherries, flowers, menthol and violets burst from the glass. The 2010 has quite a bit more freshness and vibrancy than the 2009. The darker tonality of fruit and overall structure here are simply compelling. This is a fabulous showing. Anticipated maturity: 2014-2022."
