To produce a Meritage, the winery has to utilize 3 of the 7 noble grapes and they must be the best fruit of a harvest in order to blend into this highly prized wine. The winemaker hand-selects the highest quality grapes from different vineyard blocks as the foundation for this complex wine with dark berry notes, soft tannins, and a long velvety finish. Meritage is similar to a Bordeaux blend using Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc and Merlot grapes, hand-picked and aged 12-14 months in a variety of oak barrels to add nuance and complexity.