Gold Medal ~ San Francisco Chronicle Wine Competition
The 2014 Meritage simmers from the glass with a harmonious bouquet of mulberry, black cherry, clove, and toasted graham cracker. The mouthwatering palate fans out for almost a minute with a kaleidoscope of rich blackberry, plum, blueberry, and raspberry that is lifted by refreshing acidity. The ripe berry medley trails off into a savory finish of tobacco and black licorice. This is a shining example of the range of flavors that can be achieved in a blend. It checks all the boxes, and everyone will find it hard to resist.
Winemaking & Vineyard Notes
Our winemaker, Kevin Mills, blends this wine piece by piece. He uses the modern technique of cold soaking prior to fermentation. This ensures maximum color extraction and the preservation of fruit flavors. Our namesake wine is then barrel aged for 20 months in 100% new French oak.
The Meritage grapes come from our estate vineyard located at the Meritage Resort & Spa, in the shadow of the iconic Grape Crusher Statue. The Vineyard is seven and a half acres and home to all five noble red Bordeaux varietals: Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Merlot, Malbec and Petit Verdot. The Vineyard is northern facing, allowing constant sun exposure throughout the day. The gentle slope of the vineyard in combination with the rocky soil gives the vines great drainage to maintain berry concentration. It is not typical to plant these varietals in the normally cooler southern part of Napa. However, it allows for a longer growing season with more “hang time” for the grapes.
Vineyard: The Meritage Resort & Spa Estate Vineyard
Barrel program: 20 months, 100% new French oak
Alcohol: 14.7%
Production: 1,715 Cases
2015 Trinitas Cellars Mysteriama, California
Tasting Notes
97 Points, Double Gold, Best Of Class ~ 2020 Sunset International Wine Competition
Every year our winemaker sets aside some of our favorite lots of old vine varietals and blends together a wine shrouded in “mystery”. While the varietals used in the blend change from year to year, we strive to recreate the same crowd-pleasing flavor profile with each new vintage. The aromas and palate showcase ripe raspberry, maraschino cherry, blackberry jam, and vanilla-tinged notes of oak. It’s as delicious as it sounds, and we hope that you agree it over delivers for its price!
Winemaking Notes
This wine was aged in 100% American oak, once used from our Chardonnay program. The different varietals were barrel aged separately to build individual complexities. Three months before bottling we take these varietals and determine the best blend for this vintage.
Specs
Vintage: 2015
Varietals: 30% Old Vine Zinfandel, 20% Old Vine Petite Sirah, 20% Carignane, 12% Merlot, 9% Mataro, 7% Tinto Cão, 2% Alicante Bouschet
Appellation: California; sourced from Mendocino, Napa, Contra Costa, and El Dorado counties
Tim and Steph Busch have always had a passion for wine and the wine country, and in 2002 they realized their dream of starting a winery. Trinitas Cellars is a small winery in Napa Valley that is still owned and operated by the Busch family, including their children Garrett and Kenzie.
Trinitas celebrates the connection among sun, soil, and humanity by working closely with its grower society throughout the Napa Valley and other wine growing regions in Northern California. Furthermore, Trinitas sources a broad range of varietals from the regions where climate and soil conditions are most favorable. Small quantities of these exceptional grapes are then handcrafted into an approachable, California wine to be enjoyed as an aperitif or with food. Some of our best wines come from historical vineyards in Northern California with a selection of vines that are over a century old.
Available States
AZ, CA, CO, CT, DC, FL, GA, IL, IN, IA, KS, LA, ME, MD, MA, MI, MN, MO, MT, NE, NV, NH, NJ, NM, NY, ND, OH, OK, OR, PA, SC, SD, TN, TX, VA, WA, WV, WI, WY
How much more are you saving by buying a full case?
(Note: Tax & Shipping not included in savings calculations)
Trinitas Cellars Meritage & Mysteriama - $30 = 11.18%
Good morning to all, and my apologies for late rattage on a very pleasant Meritage. The flying monkey dropped off the bottle late last week, and an email confirmed my golden ticket. I was pleased to see that it was a red; even more pleased to see that it was a Meritage - a style which I’m unfamiliar with, but which has caught my attention of late.
I’m partially color blind, so I hesitate to say much other than it is a purplish red. Densely colored, but with a nice clarity when catching the right light.
The nose was dark cherry, a bit of blueberry, light violet, and a trace of bell pepper. By Day 2, much was gone except for a bit of cherry blossom. Dark fruit flavored, with a bit of blueberry. Moderate, soft tannins which were all but gone by Day 2. Moderate finish with a bit of smokiness/tobacco/cocoa taste.
The wine went well with a variety of food: Triscuits with pepperoni and Gouda cheese, chicken piccata with grilled asparagus, New York strip with lemon/lime broccoli. What intrigued me was how my drinking habits changed. I sipped the wine with the chicken, but fairly well guzzled it with the steak. And in between with the crackers.
Overall, I think the wine should probably be drunk now, and preferably in a day – I thought that the flavor had rolled down a bit by Day 2. I’d be interested in a splash more, but I think that the price is just a bit steep.
As always, thanks to the team for sending me the Golden Ticket.
@rpstrong
With nearly 2 years in 100% new French oak, I’m a bit surprised at your ’ moderate soft tannins’ comment; I’d have expected them to be more forward and even a bit palate drying. Ok, it is six years after vintage…
Alcohol well in check?
How was it stored between days?
Anything you can compare this to, or an example where you’ve experienced ‘ample’ tannins?
Could be that I don’t know my oak from my elm! But I didn’t get the same sort of initial impact that I got from a '13 WineSmith Meritage that I had last week or a '16 Pedroncelli Cab Franc that I was drinking along with the Trinitas. I didn’t take notes on the WineSmith, but I thought that it took the Pedro a day to get to where the Trinitas was, right out of the bottle. More tongue wrapping than drying.
I did not take note of the alcohol level till you asked. Yes, I’d say well under control.
Wine was initially shelved for two days in my cellar at about 60 F., and was corked and returned in between.
If anyone in SF (or greater Bay Area) is interested in a split I’d be willing to go in on it with you. Have enjoyed Trinitas in the past and could be convinced again .
@salpo Good to note. But then when I looked and saw the “small” offering was 3 bottles, I suppose it makes sense that there has to be a 1:2 ratio to keep things consistent. (can’t evenly split 3).
Would go for this for a try but too many boxes I haven’t even stowed from last few months.
2014 Trinitas Cellars Meritage, Napa Valley
Tasting Notes
Gold Medal ~ San Francisco Chronicle Wine Competition
Winemaking & Vineyard Notes
Specs
2015 Trinitas Cellars Mysteriama, California
Tasting Notes
97 Points, Double Gold, Best Of Class ~ 2020 Sunset International Wine Competition
Winemaking Notes
Specs
Included in the Box
3-bottles:
Case:
Price Comparison
$531.26 at Trinitas Cellars for 4x 2014 Trinitas Cellars Meritage, Napa Valley, 8x 2015 Trinitas Cellars Mysteriama, California
About The Winery
Available States
AZ, CA, CO, CT, DC, FL, GA, IL, IN, IA, KS, LA, ME, MD, MA, MI, MN, MO, MT, NE, NV, NH, NJ, NM, NY, ND, OH, OK, OR, PA, SC, SD, TN, TX, VA, WA, WV, WI, WY
Estimated Delivery
Monday, Nov 30 - Wednesday, Dec 2
Trinitas Cellars Meritage & Mysteriama
3 bottles for $66.99 $22.33/bottle + $2.67/bottle shipping
Case of 12 for $237.99 $19.83/bottle + $1/bottle shipping
2014 Trinitas Cellars Meritage
2015 Trinitas Cellars Mysteriama
@CruelMelody Hi - Sonyia from Trinitas Cellars here… Not related to the Anheiser-Busch family.
Pretty nice offer for mid-week, a button down shirt and tie day for sure!
Also, a Holiday (for some).
Veterans, we salute you
How much more are you saving by buying a full case?
(Note: Tax & Shipping not included in savings calculations)
Trinitas Cellars Meritage & Mysteriama - $30 = 11.18%
At these prices, the offering should be stellar. Rats?
2014 Trinitas Cellars Meritage, Napa Valley
Good morning to all, and my apologies for late rattage on a very pleasant Meritage. The flying monkey dropped off the bottle late last week, and an email confirmed my golden ticket. I was pleased to see that it was a red; even more pleased to see that it was a Meritage - a style which I’m unfamiliar with, but which has caught my attention of late.
I’m partially color blind, so I hesitate to say much other than it is a purplish red. Densely colored, but with a nice clarity when catching the right light.
The nose was dark cherry, a bit of blueberry, light violet, and a trace of bell pepper. By Day 2, much was gone except for a bit of cherry blossom. Dark fruit flavored, with a bit of blueberry. Moderate, soft tannins which were all but gone by Day 2. Moderate finish with a bit of smokiness/tobacco/cocoa taste.
The wine went well with a variety of food: Triscuits with pepperoni and Gouda cheese, chicken piccata with grilled asparagus, New York strip with lemon/lime broccoli. What intrigued me was how my drinking habits changed. I sipped the wine with the chicken, but fairly well guzzled it with the steak. And in between with the crackers.
Overall, I think the wine should probably be drunk now, and preferably in a day – I thought that the flavor had rolled down a bit by Day 2. I’d be interested in a splash more, but I think that the price is just a bit steep.
As always, thanks to the team for sending me the Golden Ticket.
@rpstrong
With nearly 2 years in 100% new French oak, I’m a bit surprised at your ’ moderate soft tannins’ comment; I’d have expected them to be more forward and even a bit palate drying. Ok, it is six years after vintage…
Alcohol well in check?
How was it stored between days?
Anything you can compare this to, or an example where you’ve experienced ‘ample’ tannins?
@rjquillin @rpstrong he did say tobacco/Smokey finish though
@rpstrong wait…what is that white stuff?!
@rpstrong that wine looks good paired with snow. Thanks for the review
@ttboy23 That’s my rustic wine chiller.
Hi folks! Sonyia here from Trinitas Cellars. I’ll be on/off over the next day to touch base with you guys! Have a great day!
Could be that I don’t know my oak from my elm! But I didn’t get the same sort of initial impact that I got from a '13 WineSmith Meritage that I had last week or a '16 Pedroncelli Cab Franc that I was drinking along with the Trinitas. I didn’t take notes on the WineSmith, but I thought that it took the Pedro a day to get to where the Trinitas was, right out of the bottle. More tongue wrapping than drying.
I did not take note of the alcohol level till you asked. Yes, I’d say well under control.
Wine was initially shelved for two days in my cellar at about 60 F., and was corked and returned in between.
If anyone in SF (or greater Bay Area) is interested in a split I’d be willing to go in on it with you. Have enjoyed Trinitas in the past and could be convinced again
.
Still no Mysteriama rattage?
@rpstrong
Apparently it will remain a mystery!
@karenhynes @rpstrong
at this point.
Clearly, a true
Note to everybody that this is not an evenly split case (6/6) but a 4/8 split. Just something to pay attention to
@salpo Good to note. But then when I looked and saw the “small” offering was 3 bottles, I suppose it makes sense that there has to be a 1:2 ratio to keep things consistent. (can’t evenly split 3).
Would go for this for a try but too many boxes I haven’t even stowed from last few months.