2019 Santa Ynez Valley Vintner’s Collection Meritage
Tasting Notes
Produced from select vineyards in the Santa Ynez Valley of Santa Barbara County, this Bordeaux-style predominantly Merlot blend was harvested to capture fresh fruit flavors and good energy in its texture. (The Santa Ynez Valley Meritage was originally destined for a client in China but was derailed by COVID.) This is a fantastic summer sipper!
Second-generation family proprietors and siblings Michael Dierberg and Ellen Dierberg Milne consider themselves stewards of Star Lane Vineyard, which was planted in 1998 by their parents Jim and Mary Dierberg. Star Lane was planted eleven years before Happy Canyon would be recognized as an American Viticulture Area and is now considered one of the finest Cabernet vineyards in the world. Before taking the helm at Star Lane Vineyard, winemaker Tyler Thomas apprenticed with Aubert de Villaine of Domaine de la Romanée-Conti fame at the renowned HdV project in Napa. Tyler brings a minimalist approach to crafting wines of great depth from the estate vineyard, leading the wines to garner substantial attention from critics and collectors.
Available States
AZ, CA, CO, CT, DC, FL, GA, ID, IL, IN, IA, KS, LA, ME, MD, MA, MI, MN, MO, MT, NE, NV, NH, NJ, NM, NY, NC, ND, OH, OK, OR, PA, RI, SC, SD, TN, TX, VT, VA, WA, WV, WI, WY
How much more are you saving by buying a full case?
(Note: tax and shipping are not included in savings calculations).
2019 Santa Ynez Valley Meritage - $35 = 21.20%
This is a dark wine, almost purple with a big, plummy nose. I poured glasses for my husband & me, and left mine on the counter while I ran an errand…then forgot about it.
FWIW, I asked Mr. Fait what he thought of it out of the bottle. He (predictably) said “It’s good. Tastes like wine.” But he did offer that he definitely got that alcohol heat in his throat but wasn’t hit in the face with alcohol in the taste.
I finally rounded back to my glass it at about the 90 minute mark, so my glass was breathing well. I experienced the alcohol in the same way as Mr. Fait, which surprised me since my first sip was 90 minutes out if the bottle. My first impression was a whole lot of blueberry and some blackberry. It’s very fruit prominent without going full fruit bomb. I also noted a good amount of smoke, wood, & earthy notes, and once every few sips, I could have sworn that I picked up something herbal (thyme?) here & there. By this late in the game, any tannins had already posted their out of office message and left for the weekend.
All in all, this is a slow sipper. This would be excellent for sitting out on the deck late in the evening & doing absolutely nothing.
Thanks to the Wine Country Connect team for letting us review another bottle! My wife and I reviewed the 2019 Santa Ynez Valley Vintner’s Collection Meritage and I’ll list my notes below. We paired this with BBQ ribs and it worked pretty well.
Nose:
My wife: She got very bright and airy stone fruit notes. Like apricot, but instead of apricot jam, she smelled apricot gelato.
Myself: I got more red fruits, specifically red currants. Reminded me a bit of a New World Pinot Noir, not super alcoholic which I liked.
Mouth:
My wife: Got a lot of red/black fruits. It kept waffling between the two, but in a good way. Two fruits that stood out were blackberry and red plums.
Myself: I got a lot of black fruits, specifically blackberry. I felt like this was like a red Burgundy that was produced in a very hot year.
Final thoughts: I agree with the other reviewer that this would be a good wine to sit on the porch and sip. It doesn’t require food to be a good wine, but it definitely doesn’t hurt.
2019 Santa Ynez Valley Vintner’s Collection Meritage
Tasting Notes
Specs
What’s Included
4-bottles:
Case:
Price Comparison
Not for sale online, $360/case MSRP
About The Winery
Available States
AZ, CA, CO, CT, DC, FL, GA, ID, IL, IN, IA, KS, LA, ME, MD, MA, MI, MN, MO, MT, NE, NV, NH, NJ, NM, NY, NC, ND, OH, OK, OR, PA, RI, SC, SD, TN, TX, VT, VA, WA, WV, WI, WY
Estimated Delivery
Monday, Jul 10 - Wednesday, Jul 12
2019 Santa Ynez Valley Meritage
4 bottles for $54.99 $13.75/bottle + $2/bottle shipping
Case of 12 for $129.99 $10.83/bottle + $1/bottle shipping
How much more are you saving by buying a full case?
(Note: tax and shipping are not included in savings calculations).
2019 Santa Ynez Valley Meritage - $35 = 21.20%
This is a dark wine, almost purple with a big, plummy nose. I poured glasses for my husband & me, and left mine on the counter while I ran an errand…then forgot about it.
FWIW, I asked Mr. Fait what he thought of it out of the bottle. He (predictably) said “It’s good. Tastes like wine.” But he did offer that he definitely got that alcohol heat in his throat but wasn’t hit in the face with alcohol in the taste.
I finally rounded back to my glass it at about the 90 minute mark, so my glass was breathing well. I experienced the alcohol in the same way as Mr. Fait, which surprised me since my first sip was 90 minutes out if the bottle. My first impression was a whole lot of blueberry and some blackberry. It’s very fruit prominent without going full fruit bomb. I also noted a good amount of smoke, wood, & earthy notes, and once every few sips, I could have sworn that I picked up something herbal (thyme?) here & there. By this late in the game, any tannins had already posted their out of office message and left for the weekend.
All in all, this is a slow sipper. This would be excellent for sitting out on the deck late in the evening & doing absolutely nothing.
@fait thanks for the report. Do you shy American oak and how is the sugar?
@Leatherchair Yes on the oak, and it was more dry than sweet.
Thank you for the reply and, the affirmative on the am oak. Look forward to more of your reviews
Hi All!
Thanks to the Wine Country Connect team for letting us review another bottle! My wife and I reviewed the 2019 Santa Ynez Valley Vintner’s Collection Meritage and I’ll list my notes below. We paired this with BBQ ribs and it worked pretty well.
Nose:
My wife: She got very bright and airy stone fruit notes. Like apricot, but instead of apricot jam, she smelled apricot gelato.
Myself: I got more red fruits, specifically red currants. Reminded me a bit of a New World Pinot Noir, not super alcoholic which I liked.
Mouth:
My wife: Got a lot of red/black fruits. It kept waffling between the two, but in a good way. Two fruits that stood out were blackberry and red plums.
Myself: I got a lot of black fruits, specifically blackberry. I felt like this was like a red Burgundy that was produced in a very hot year.
Final thoughts: I agree with the other reviewer that this would be a good wine to sit on the porch and sip. It doesn’t require food to be a good wine, but it definitely doesn’t hurt.
Arrived today… Will pop/pour tomorrow.
Anyone else?