Drink (and think)  like a somm

PRODUCER

Fallen Tree

WINE

Meritage

VINTAGE

20
0
REGION

Virginia

APPELLATION

Monticello

VARIETIES

Cabernet Franc 39%

Merlot 38%

Petit Verdot 23%

FLAVORS

Dark Cherry, Figs, Nutmeg, Violets

MATURATION

20 Months

New French Oak 50%

Neutral Oak 50%

ELEVATOR PITCH

Deep, rich, fruit-forward notes on the nose, with hints of earth and spice on the finish. Approachable but firm structure, and perfectly suited for grilled lean meats. 

STRUCTURE

ACIDITY
TANNIN
ALCOHOL 13%
BODY
SWEETNESS

Low

Med -

Medium

Med +

High

ABOUT

Fallen Tree 2021 Meritage

The 2021 Fallen Tree Meritage is a “Right bank” Bordeaux style blend, meaning it is Cab Franc and Merlot dominant instead of Cabernet Sauvignon with a focus on elegance over power. 

The wine boasts a flavor profile of concentrated dark fruit, violets, and savory spices on the finish held up by elevated acidity and firm tannins. 

PAIRINGS

IN A PINCH

Grilled lamb, aged cheeses.

DEEPER DIVE

This wine has had some time to age and integrate all its components into one full and complete wine. As such, it is excellent on its own, but will be great with some full-bodied dishes as well. 

Lamb off the grill is going to be a great option, or anything with a bit of fat and gristle since this wine will be able to stand up to it nicely. 

Aged cheeses, especially blue cheeses are going to be great here to match the wines earthiness and acidity.

STANDOUT FEATURES

  • Dark Fruit
  • Linear Acidity
  • Firm Tannins

STEAR CLEAR

Anything too light like fish or even chicken might get overpowered by this wine.

PAIRING SCALE

Light Dishes

Salads

Raw Bar

Med – Dishes

Fatty Fish

Roast Chicken

Med. Dishes

Lean Meats

Rich Poultry

Med + Dishes

Burgers

Fatty Meats

Full Dishes

Stews

Rich Sauces

CHEESE OPTIONS

Stilton

Stilton

Country: England

Animal: Cow

Type: Strong, funky

Texture: Hard

Style: Full-bodied, tangy

Taleggio

Taleggio

Country: Italy

Animal: Cow

Type: Soft

Texture: Creamy

Style: Mild, sweet, aromatic

Roquefort

Roquefort

Country: France

Animal: Sheep

Type: Semi-hard

Texture: Creamy

Style: Rich, tangy, creamy.

RECIPE IDEAS

SERVICE

WHICH GLASSES?

Large Bordeaux or All-purpose glasses would be best.

BORDEAUX

BURGUNDY

FLUTE

COUPE

ALL-PURPOSE

WHITE

DESSERT

SHOULD I DECANT THIS?

WHY “Yes”?

There’s a lot to unpack in this wine, and most of it will be missed if it doesn’t have at least a little time to breathe.

HOW LONG?

Generally you would want to decant a younger wine for longer to help it open up and be cautious of exposing older wines to oxygen for too long. There are always exceptions of course, but this is a pretty good rule to follow.

Minutes to decant this bottle:

Year opened

SERVING TEMP

0
F

The correct serving temperature is important to show a wine’s true potential, but don’t stress over getting the temp exactly right. Use the chart below to try to get in the right ballpark.

AGING

WHEN SHOULD I OPEN THIS?

If a wine has been released by the producer, it means it is ready to drink. Wines don’t necessarily get “better” with age, they just change. Typically, this change involves things like losing fresh fruit flavors in exchange for more savory notes.

The moment you should open the bottle depends on your preference, so it’s more important to understand the evolution and the life span of the bottle than it is to try to time its opening perfectly. (It’s far better to open a bottle too early than too late.)

 

This bottle should probably be opened between:

20

0

-

20

0

Development

Year Opened

PRODUCER

4593 Clark Road,

Crozet, VA 22932

ABOUT US

Set in the beautiful foothills of Crozet, Fallen Tree Vineyard is a place to slow down, take in the view, and enjoy Virginia wine in a relaxed, welcoming setting.

​Our small-batch wines are grown and crafted in the Monticello AVA, shaped by the hills, weather, and soil around us. When you visit, you’ll find sweeping vineyard and mountain views, rustic charm, cozy indoor seating, and warm hospitality.

​Come for a tasting, stay for the food, the view, and the feeling that you found something special.

Guided Tastings

Indulge in a curated selection of our finest estate wines. Your guide will walk you through the history of Fallen Tree, the nuances of the Monticello AVA, and the craftsmanship in every bottle.

Flights

Experience Fallen Tree one pour at a time. Our flights offer a relaxed way to explore our small batch Virginia wines, taste the character of each vintage, and discover the flavors that make our little corner of Crozet special.

Glass & Bottle Sales

Explore our exclusive collection of vintages. Ourflights offers a unique opportunity to taste the evolution of our small-batch wines and the enduring character of our terroir.

Snacks and Food

Enjoy wine-friendly food from our kitchen, including small plates, charcuterie boards, pizzas, and local Virginia favorites, available Fridays after 5 PM and on weekends, or feel free to bring your own favorite bites to enjoy with a glass of Fallen Tree wine.

Family Friendly

Fallen Tree is family friendly, with welcoming indoor and outdoor spaces, plenty of room to relax, non-alcoholic drink options, and a kids juice flight that gives younger guests a tasting experience of their own.

Pets

Well-behaved pets are welcome at Fallen Tree both indoors and outdoors, so your four-legged friend can join you while you enjoy the wine, food, views, and relaxed vineyard atmosphere.

Reservations

Reservations are welcome Wednesday through Friday, on Saturdays before 2 PM, and on Sundays. To book a reservation, please call (757) 647-9398 or email mikayla@fallentreevineyard.com.

Interested in joining our wine club?

MEMBER BENEFITS

  • 20% Off Retail Price
  • Free Tastings for Member plus One Guest
  • Early Access to New Releases
  • Exclusive Member Only Pick-Up Parties

 

Savor the flavors of Fallen Tree Vineyard all year round by joining our Wine Club. Locals and frequent visitors to Crozet can conveniently pick up their wines or have them shipped directly to their homes. Whether you’re stocking up for gatherings with loved ones, building your wine collection, or searching for the perfect gift, our Wine Club is the ideal way to enjoy the finest Virginia wines.

Wines are available and shipped quarterly in February, May, August, and November. While wine selections are curated by Fallen Tree, members can log into their accounts before shipment to make substitutions.

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Note: All analysis made by actual humans tasting this wine, not A.I. 

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