2004 Wild Horse Peak Meritage

Harvested from the Wild Horse Peak Mountain Vineyards.

If a Meritage wine could have a motto, ours would be “Many are crushed, but few are chosen.” Our Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon blocks at Wild Horse Peak are the highest vineyards (altitudinally speaking) and, frankly, the best vineyards in all of Southern California.  This is no modest statement.  And certainly, our Meritage is no modest wine.  The very best lots of Merlot and Cabernet from the various Wild Horse Peak blocks were painstakingly tasted, analyzed, and then blended to create this dark temptress of the grape. 

Exclusively selected from over 200 barrels, this blend of 42 barrels represents the best that we have to offer from the 2004 vintage.  Merlot makes up the majority in this wine, giving a strong presence of peppery fruit, rose petals, and earthy aromas.  The Cabernet Sauvignon adds a rich texture of berry fruit and herbal nuances.  The equilibrium of oak and grape character is in dynamic harmony.  This wine exhibits a remarkable depth of character for having only two of the possible six varieties that can comprise a Meritage.  It is obvious that the different blocks of Cabernet and Merlot have a subtle, albeit definitive impact on the wine.  Cabernet  Franc, from our newly planted Reservoir Block, and Petit Verdot from the Winery estate give this wine a richness and subtle finesse that makes this Meritage a wonderful red wine.  Undoubtedly, this is a wine that will age and continue to progress for the next three to five years, yet the 2004 Meritage is appealing and very drinkable now.The overwhelming red soils, granitic outcroppings and steep terrain coupled with outstanding climatic conditions define the mountain vineyards of Wild Horse Peak.  At an altitude of over 2,200 feet, these vineyards wrestle with Mother Nature, enduring the circumstances of the environment and yielding a small concentrated crop that is unparalleled in the region. We strive to produce the very best wines from these vineyards and bring them to you.

Vintage:	2004
Wine Type:	Bold Red Wine
Varietal:	Meritage
Acid:	0.56 gms/100mL
PH:	3.70
Bottling Date:	July 24, 2007
Residual Sugar:	0.66 gms/100mL
Alcohol %:	14.4

2009 Wine Competition Results:

One (1) Gold Medal in the San Francisco International Wine Competition; Two (2) Silver Medals in the San Diego International Wine Competition and Grand Harvest Awards Wine Competition; Three (3) Bronze Medals in Dallas Morning News Wine CompetitionMonterey Wine Competition and the Finger Lakes International Wine Competition

2008 Wine Competition Results:

Six (6) Silver Medals in Grand Harvest Awards Competition, Pacific Rim Int'l Wine Competition, Critic's Challenge, California State Fair Competition, San Francisco Wine Competition, and Temecula Valley Wine Society; Four (4) Bronze Medals in New World Int'l Wine Competition, San Diego Ntn'l Wine Competition, West Coast Wine Competition, and Orange County Fair Wine Competition

Wild Horse Peak Mountain Vineyard - Click here to read more

Serves wonderfully with BBQ, pasta and your favorite steak.