2019 King Family Vineyards Meritage

Variety: 47% Merlot; 28% Petit Verdot; 21% Cabernet Franc; 4% Malbec
Region: Virginia -Monticello AVA
Cost: $75 (SRP)

Winemaker’s Notes: The annual bottling of the best that our estate vineyards have to offer, our Meritage blend showcases the character of each component variety as well as the nature of the vintage. Every variety used is initially vinified separately, allowing us to assess the unique personality of each grape. In April of 2020, our winemaker carefully composed the final blend by undertaking various blending trials resulting in the inclusion of 48% Merlot, 28% Petit Verdot, 20% Cabernet Franc, 4% Malbec. Our goal is to yield complex aromas and flavors, well-textured tannins, bright freshness, rich concentration, and an expression of our terroir. Following the blending process, the wine is returned to both new and used French oak barriques, allowing the base wines additional time to integrate and bringing the total time spent aging to 18 months.

Tasted five years after its vintage, the 2019 Meritage shows developing aromas of dried herbs, tobacco leaf, dark fruits, and oak spice. On the palate, a lively acidity balances the wine’s willowy but firm tannins. Rich concentration and a long finish suggest that this wine will continue to improve with additional time in the cellar.

Enjoy this wine with hearty dishes like braised short ribs and roasted root vegetables or a rich bolognese with fresh tagliatelle.

My Review: I’ll admit that it’s been a little while since I’ve had wine from King Family Vineyards. My wife and I used to visit them somewhat regularly when we lived in Virginia; they were an easy stop as we drove into wine country from Richmond. But since relocating to North Carolina about 10 years ago, we just haven’t found our way to their tasting room, which made getting to try their 2024 Governor’s Cup Winner so welcome.

In the glass the wine was a deep red; nearly completely opaque. I did get hints of a purplish hue around the rim of the glass. The wine was a bit hot at first (it’s 13.8% alc/vol, so not what I would have called a “hot” wine out of the bottle), but it quickly softened to reveal aromas of dark fruit and warm baking spices.

The wine was big and bold in the mouth, but also surprisingly bright; it didn’t feel heavy. Flavors of dark berries and spice were most prominent, and the finish had soft tannins that lingered slightly, but not overly so.

We paired the wine with Moroccan Lamb Meatballs, and that was definitely a good choice. The spice notes of the wine paired great with the spices used in the food, and while it was big enough to stand up to the lamb, the bright acidity of the wine helped cut through some of the richness. This is definitely a food wine, however, and I think braised short ribs, a hearty bolognese, or anything that leans into warm spices like cardamom, cinnamon, and the like will play well with this wine.

Disclosure: I received this wine as a free sample for review.