**** Chez Ray Syrah Meritage, 2003 – Lodi, CA

Posted by Ben in 2003, General, Other, meritage, syrahMay 24th, 2010 | No Comments
Original Review, January, 2009: This is a mix of syrah, cabernet sauvignon, merlot and cabernet franc grapes from Valley Oaks Vineyards in Lodi, CA. Fermentation was warm in Pasteur Red yeast, pressing upon dryness. Earlier I tried a version of this called simply "Chez Ray Meritage", with a similar grape mixture - although the straight Meritage had a zinfandel instead of the cabernet franc. Syrah is the lead grape in this mix.

Color is similar to Chezy Ray Meritage 2003, with medium red touched by a hint of purple. Aromas are balanced, no plum overtones - seem mostly cabernet-esque. Palate opens with a full, round, lightly sweet middle, followed on by oakiness from the French oak chips used in aging. Balanced, accessible, pleasant. Very friendly. I would stay with this for an evening, so I'll go with four stars on the Spirit of Wine scale. No need for further aging - excellent drinking window now.
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Updated Review, almost a year and a half later, May, 2010:  Color now has hints of brick along with the purple.  Sweet oak on the nose along with plums.  Still full, even middle with toasty, warm oakiness.  Holding up well.

*** Chez Ray Meritage, 2003, Cabernet/Merlot/Zinfandel/Syrah, Lodi, CA

Posted by Ben in 2003, General, Other, cabernet sauvignon, meritage, merlot, syrah, zinfandelMay 20th, 2010 | No Comments
Original Review, November, 2008: This 2003 Chez Ray Meritage is made from fresh grapes from Lodi, CA - a mix of cabernet sauvignon, merlot, zinfandel and syrah. It was fermented warm with Pasteur Red yeast, pressed at dryness after about a week's fermentation. The grapes were fermented separately, then blended at bottling.

In the glass, this is medium dusty red, deepening at the center of the glass. Aromas are modest, funky, deep, round; like your nose is in the middle of an almost-overripe plum. On the palate, a middle round sweetness is the first impression, full of ripe blackberry fruit. Following that comes the impression of oak (from the French oak chips used in aging the wine), and a pleasant, even, sweet finish. Tannins have pretty well aged out of the five-year-old wine. Ready to drink now.

Three stars out of five on the Spirit of Wine scale, as I would definitely come back to this again.
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Updated review, a year and a half later, May, 2010:  Consistent color, aroma and flavors.  Holding up well.  Acids coming forward a bit.

2005 2006 Blends

Posted by Ben in 2005, 2006, General, Other, meritageApr 7th, 2009 | No Comments Here are a couple of blends I created for 2005 and 2006. Separately, I'll describe the blend process.

Meritage B, 2006: Lodi Zinfandel w/stems, Sangiacomo Vineyards Carneros Sonoma Merlot, Hopland Vineyards Mendicino Cabernet Sauvignon, Yakima Valley Prosser WA Merlot.

Meritage A, 2005/6: 2006 Suscol Ranch Merlot Napa CA, 2006 Alexander Valley Syrah Sonoma CA, 2006 State Lane Yountville Napa Cabernet Sauvignon, 2006 Old Hill Glen Ellen Sonoma CA Cabernet Sauvignon, 2005 Caldwell Napa CA Cabernet Sauvignon, 2005 Las Brisas Merlot Carneros Sonoma County CA,2005 State Lane Yountville Napa CA Cabernet Sauvignon