2014 Stonehedge Grand Reserve Napa Valley Meritage

Happy Sunday!  I won't say which "Sunday" it is since I don't want to pay a royalty, but rumor has it there's some sort of big game on tonight!  Well in honor of the big game, I've decided to open up a big wine, the 2014 Stonehedge Grand Reserve Napa Valley Meritage, a Bordeaux style blend of Merlot (50%), Cabernet Franc (20%), Petit Verdot (20%) and Cabernet Sauvignon (10%).  This wine was our office wine club selection last month, and I got it from Wines Till Sold Out, so you know it was a good value, so let's see how it tastes!

The wine is a deep ruby color in the glass, classic for a blend that is heavy on Merlot.  The nose is a breath of smoky, mineral goodness, with hints of leather, blackberry and toasted oak.  The taste is really nice, with a rush of ripe fruit up front, cherry, red currant and raspberry that transition nicely to some cherry cola and black pepper spice midpalate.  The tannins are young, but surprisingly mellow, perfect to support the long, supple and very dry finish.

Overall, I would rate this wine a solid 8.5, as it's drinking very nicely now but will likely improve with a few years in the cellar, and it was a solid value for just $20.  This wine would be great with a variety of meaty dishes, from hearty Italian pasta to Yankee pot roast, but tonight I'm enjoying it with a grilled prime sirloin steak with some roasted Brussels sprouts and a baked potato with all the trimmings, classic Sunday dinner...you might even call it super!