King Family Vineyards Meritage 2021 – Monticello

(51% Merlot, 23% Cabernet Franc, 23% Petit Verdot, 3% Malbec) The wine has a bright ruby color of medium intensity. The initial nose is fruity, juicy and bright, lively and tangy. It initially expresses notes of fresh red fruits (ripe and juicy bigarreau cherry, wild raspberry, red plum), complemented by dark fruits (blackcurrant, morello cherry, a hint of black plum and blackberry). Aeration reveals aromas of dark chocolate, toasted hazelnut, toasted wood and fresh wood with a sappy touch, as well as fresh hazelnut in the background, combined with herbaceous and floral notes of wild mint, blackcurrant bud, violet and peony in the background. There is also the toasted touch of crushed coriander seeds and a sweet hint of vanilla. The palate is firm, taut, but savory, finely powerful and concentrated. The attack offers a good bitterness of cherry pit with a touch of kirsch, as well as cranberries, dark chocolate, toasted almond and light roasted coffee. On the mid-palate, we find notes of morello cherry, small wild cherry berries, juicy bigarreau cherry, wild strawberry, ripe blackcurrant and wild raspberry, as well as gourmet spices (liquorice, white pepper, a touch of roasted coriander). The tannins are polished, very fine, but structured and firm. Beautiful salivating acidity and a beautiful complexity on the lingering finish: cocoa bitterness, a toasted-bitter side of roasted almond, as well as dried flowers (dried violet, dried cornflower). Concentration, sapidity, all in elegance.