Review: Stinson Vineyards 2017 Meritage and 2019 Merlot
We’ve covered a lot of wines from Virginia in recent years, but none from Stinson Vineyards, which hails from the Monticello AVA. (Jefferson’s historic home is worth a visit, btw.)
Today we look at two bottlings from the winery, both revolving in same way around merlot.
2017 Stinson Vineyards Meritage Monticello – 50% merlot, 20% cabernet franc, 15% cabernet sauvignon, and 15% petit verdot. It’s a rich wine with lots of depth, a bit gravelly and leathery up top, with notes of licorice and tart cherries building on the palate. Somewhat brooding solo but elegant with a meal, the dark chocolate note that lingers on the finish is, no pun intended, icing on the cake. A- / $36
2019 Stinson Vineyards Merlot Monticello – Surprisingly well-rounded, this wine offers notes of black plums, licorice, and candied violets all in hearty, immersive swirl. Light notes of chocolate and some black pepper give the finish a fun little spin, alongside a very gentle sweetness on the finish. It’s not overwhelmingly expressive of the merlot varietal, but it’s solidly balanced, and an excellent value. A- / $27
2019 Stinson Vineyards Merlot Monticello
$27
