A fabulous Bordeaux-style wine that is a glass of chocolatey, berry strong with balanced tannins. This full-bodied wine will age well and continue to evolve as time goes by. If you are in to points — it has 90’s and above. 

2016 The Mariner Meritage Dry Creek Vineyard

This post may contain affiliate links. Please read my disclosure policy.

This wine is a true joy to drink.

I’m partial, though, because the Meritage blend is my absolute FAVORITE blend. It’s the ‘wine style’ that started me down the path of wine love years ago.

To me, a good Meritage is has layer upon layer of flavor. Berry, smoke, chocolate, minerals, and cedar. Ripe and tart berries and fruit lead the way without overshadowing the secondary earthy notes.

The 2016 The Mariner Meritage from Dry Creek Vineyard showcases the best of the Bordeaux blend.

Vintorio Wine Aerator

Better Wine, All With Just A Simple Pour!
The Vintorio Aerator Pourer INSTANTLY brings out the flavors and aromas of your wine, and is simple to use as pouring straight from the bottle.

Click below to go straight to the Wine Notes.

↓ Jump to Wine Notes ↓

2016 The Mariner Meritage Dry Creek Vineyard

We bought this bottle at Costco. Yes, Costco. I doubt if it will be there long, it’s that good.

From the Winemaker:

“Each lot is hand harvested and aged as separate components for 9 months in French oak. Our winemaking team then carefully scrutinizes and tastes each component for flavor development and overall character. Then, a blend is crafted using Cabernet and Merlot as a base with Petit Verdot, Malbec and Cabernet Franc used as the “seasoning to the soup.” The final blend is put back into French oak for an additional 12 months of aging. It is then aged for at least 6 months prior to release. The Mariner is our premier cuvée and our finest expression of Meritage from what is truly winemaker’s art.”

Tasting Notes:

Producer: Dry Creek Vineyard
Year: 2016
ABV: 14.5%
Region: Sonoma, CA
Country: USA
Grape: 65% Cabernet Sauvignon, 16% Merlot, 10% Petit Verdot, 7% Malbec and 2% Cabernet Franc
Aged: 9 months in French oak, blended then the final blend is put back into French oak for an additional 12 months of aging.

Here’s what we tasted in this bottle 🍷

In the Glass: deep purple
Aromas: black cherry, plum, violets, chocolate, vanilla, leather, pepper, smoke, cedar.
Taste: bold, high tannin, high acid, dry, but juicy.

Pairings: This is a meat lovers wine. Beef, lamb, pork, even roasted turkey or chicken. For cheeses you’ll enjoy this wine with mild to medium cheddar, a nice parmesan or smoked gouda.

Bottom line: Buy this wine. Drink this wine. Hold this wine. At Costco here in Fairfax, VA it was about $30. Retails online and at the winery for over $50.

Hey, I’m Lisa and I’m glad you stopped by. I love food and wine and making things that people love. Speaking of love, that’s my hubby with me in this photo. We were in one of the many tulip fields in Holland in 2018.  Such beautiful colors and these fields stretched for miles and miles. Anyway, thanks for checking out the recipe. I’d love to hear how it goes when you make it so come back to the recipe and leave a comment and rating. Also, don’t forget to share your photo on Instagram and tag #vineandplate so I can brag about you 😉 …. Read More

[wpforms id=”2267″ title=”false” description=”false”]