2007-08-22
Kendall-Jackson Takes Aim at ‘Meritage’ Premium Wine Category
With the successful launch of its Kendall-Jackson Vintner’s Reserve Meritage blended red wine, America’s family-owned, affordable luxury winemaker announces its intention to become the dominant player in the premium category of blended red wines.
“In a category crowded with imports at the low end, and more than a dozen well-known Meritage-style wines in the market at the high end, Kendall-Jackson is perfectly situated to take the lead in the above-$12 price range for premium Meritage blended red wines,” said Rick Tigner, Executive Vice President of Sales for Majestic Fine Wines, the sales arm for Kendall-Jackson.
“Kendall-Jackson is celebrating 25 years of winemaking excellence, so it’s only logical that the master blender of cool coastal Chardonnay – Kendall-Jackson Vintner’s Reserve Chardonnay – should also become known for its Bordeaux-blended red wines,” added Tigner.
A Meritage wine (pronounced like “heritage”) is a Bordeaux-style blend of traditional “noble” grapes including Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Petite Verdot, Malbec and Cabernet Franc. In order to use the name Meritage on a label, the winery must be a member of the Meritage Association and use two or more of the key grape varieties. The association formed in 1988 to distinguish itself from the government-mandated generic “red table wine” label.
The 2004 Kendall-Jackson Vintner’s Reserve Meritage is a blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, and Cabernet Franc from several Northern and Central California coastal wine regions, including Napa, Sonoma, San Benito and San Luis Obispo Counties. Sonoma mountain-grown grapes provide superb structure, while the round tannins of Napa benchland fruit add a silky smoothness and provide a generous flavoring of espresso, cassis and licorice.
“We handcraft our Meritage using the latest methods of cold soaking and extended maceration for simultaneously preserving the fruit and softening the tannins,” says Randy Ullom, Kendall-Jackson Winemaster. “Juicy flavors of black cherry, cassis and pomegranate make this the perfect summer barbecue wine.”
Look for the Kendall-Jackson Vintner’s Reserve Meritage at your favorite local wine shop. For more wine education and a complete listing of Kendall-Jackson events, go to www.kj.com.
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