South of Sacramento, Lodi, California is typically associated with old-vine zinfandel, but on a recent visit, I found a world-class Bordeaux-style blend, or Meritage (rhymes with heritage): the 2011 Lange Twins Midnight Reserve. David Akiyoshi, former winemaker for the Robert Mondavi Winery in Napa Valley, constructed this outstanding wine using 38 percent cabernet sauvignon grapes, 31 percent petit verdot, 25 percent malbec and 6 percent merlot. At $25, it stands up to any comparable bottle at three or four times the price. Give one to the cab drinkers in your life and expand their repertoire.
Glenn Bardgett is a member of the Missouri Wine and Grape Board and wine director at Annie Gunn’s.
This article appears in December 2015.
