Wine of the Week: Sola 2015 Meritage

Wine of the Week:

Sola 2015 Meritage from Paso Robles, California

This California red blend is fresh, juicy, and bright. A full-bodied cherry aroma and taste are immediately evident while subtle ripe blackberry notes appear in the aftertaste. Sola describes this blend as having aromatic hints of "wet forest floor," and while it isn't directly noted, a crisp just-after-a-rain earthy fern vibe can definitely be detected beyond the more emphasized cherry aspects.

Despite possessing opulent cherry flavors (a categorically dark fruit), it paired well with a seafood-inspired dinner (vegan homemade mac n' cheese and crab cakes with tartar relish). Prior to opening, a dark cherry-pie richness may be expected but instead a distinctly estival flavor reminiscent of biting into a crisp and ripe cherry precedes. Sola's 2015 Paso Robles Meritage is a simple, cherry-focused table wine that ultimately pairs well with pasta, tomato dishes, oat-y snacks (particularly oatmeal chocolate chip cookies), and red summer fruits such as strawberries, pomegranates, and obviously cherries. It's fruity without being overly sweet due to a sharp, lingering, and decidedly even finish that could additionally suit desserts (see my cookies comment).

An evening later, I finished Sola's Paso Robles 2015 Meritage with a hearty meal of pasta and marinara, @the_tofurky_company's somewhat spicy vegan Italian sausage, and, for dessert, leftover oatmeal-raisin-chocolate chip cookies. This one holds up well and seems easy to pair with a variety of dishes. Whether sipped singularly or complimented with a meal, this red wine makes an agreeable go-to for those desiring a low-tannin, mild yet lush cherry-flavored red wine. It complimented the natural sweetness of the tomato sauce, but seemed somewhat dulled by the spice of the Italian sausage. It'd be interesting to try it with more sweet-balanced dishes due to this fact.

I would recommend this to those desiring a lightly sweet red and mild wine that’s still intriguing. With a smooth profile, it is inoffensive and can even seem unassuming in certain moments without being bland or sacrificing the subtle complexities that ultimately express themselves therein. Sola's 2015 Meritage is straightforward. As such, it's pleasant, approachable, and gently charming. According to the founder, Tim Halikas, this wine is technically vegan and cruelty-free as Sola uses bentonite and sterile plate filters, opposed to animal-derived fining agents. The only non-vegan filtered wine from Sola is their chardonnay (which Halikas pointed out when I reached out to him).

Price

$14.99 regular price @worldmarket, currently on sale for $8.61, purchased for the cost of $6.89 (due to a current member sale: save 20% off when you buy four wines).

ABV

13.9%

Meal Pairing

Mainly, vegan homemade mac n' cheese and crab cakes with tartar relish. Later, pasta and marinara, @the_tofurky_company's somewhat spicy vegan Italian sausage, and, for dessert, leftover oatmeal-raisin-chocolate chip cookies. I ultimately think that the Italian pairing was best of the two.

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Fun Fact

A “Meritage” is an American wine blend composed with and in the style of Bordeaux variety grapes. As a new world wine, “Meritage” values the traditional by prizing grape quality/merit as well as drawing on the heritage of historical Bordeaux blending processes (as its name suggests). Opposed to non-Meritage red blends, a red Meritage must consist of two or more of the following: Merlot, Petit Verdot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, and/or Malbec.