Drink (and think) like a somm
Seven Lady Vineyards
Meritage
Virginia
Merlot 44%
Petit Verdot 37%
Cabernet Franc 19%
Black Cherry, Wild Violets, Crushed Raspberry, Dried Sage.
20 Months
French Oak
33%
American Oak
34%
Hungarian Oak
33%
ABOUT
7 Lady Vineyards 2023 Meritage
“This ‘Right Bank’ style Bordeaux blend is such a flirt! The regal violet hue has an aromatic bouquet of crushed raspberry, dried sage, and wild violets.
On the palate, the plush Merlot creates a luxurious, velvety mouthfeel layered with black cherry and sandalwood. Cabernet Franc adds the elegant lift, while Petit Verdot provides a sophisticated structural depth.
The experience concludes with a touch of slate-like minerality and a polished, cocoa-dusted finish that is both powerful and remarkably graceful.”
-7 Lady Vineyards
PAIRINGS
IN A PINCH
Game, red meats, and aged cheeses.
DEEPER DIVE
This Meritage demands a table of equal character. The Merlot’s plush texture finds its match in pan-seared duck breast topped with a dark cherry reduction, while the Cabernet Franc’s herbal lift elevates a wild mushroom risotto infused with fresh thyme.
For a savory finish, the Petit Verdot’s structural depth and cocoa-dusted tannins pair beautifully with aged Manchego or a peppercorn-crusted beef tenderloin, creating a sophisticated balance of fruit, earth, and spice.
STANDOUT FEATURES: Smooth texture, earthy notes, firm tannins.
PAIRING SCALE
STEER CLEAR
Anything too light like fish or even roasted chicken might get overpowered by this wine.
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
Chèvre
Chèvre
Country: France
Animal: Goat
Type: Soft
Texture: Creamy, crumbly
Style: Acidic, salty, tangy
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
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:
2026 – 2033
Development
NERD STUFF
TECHNICAL NOTES
pH: 3.73
TA: 4.2 grams/L
Alc: 13.9%
RS: 0.63 g/L
Cases Produced: 931
FERMENTATON
Ambient fermentation with a pied de cuve starter. Fermented in bins, stainless steel, and fiberglass open-top fermenters, punched down daily. Drained, pressed, and racked to barrel. Full malolactic fermentation occurred in-barrel. Aged for 20 months in a mix of French, American, and Hungarian oak barrels for complexity.
PRODUCER
ABOUT US
Our Story
7 Lady Vineyards is the brainchild of two long-time friends and business partners who share the same passion for family, entrepreneurship, genuine hospitality, and premium wines!
Located on 55 beautiful acres at Dover Hall, the vineyards’ name is an homage to the seven beautiful ladies who embody the heartbeat of the Hornik-Ottaviano partnership.
Our Methodology
Since 2019, we started working with top winemakers globally to source grapes from regions that best suit each varietal.
We grow Viognier and Cabernet Franc grapes on our Dover Hall estate and also pride ourselves on offering an impressive array of premium wines from all over the world at our events.
7 Lady Vineyards collaborates with the world’s best winemakers to create a diverse portfolio of wines that cater to all tastes. To date, we have successfully partnered with twelve award-winning winemakers to bring unique and exceptional wines.
OUR WINEMAKER
Zach Clancy
Hailing originally from the Pacific Northwest in Portland, OR, Zach has worked in wine across the world from California to New Zealand. After some years in the Rockies in Colorado and Montana, he returned to California to make wine full-time and has carried his craft on to wineries large and small in Georgia and now Virginia. When he’s not making top notch wine with 7 Lady Vineyards, Zach indulges his outdoor side with hiking and trail running, and his creative side through painting, gastronomy, and travel.
Interested in joining our wine club?
Membership Benefits:
- FLEXIBILITY – No annual fee to join. Choose 4 or 8 bottles. Choose reds, whites, or assorted. Chad will handpick your selection allocation each quarter, and there’s nothing for you to do except pick up your wine box at Dover Hall, or wait for it to be delivered to your door by UPS.
- SUPER SAVINGS – Join the 4-bottle, Quad-Pack and receive a 10% discount off all purchases or choose the 8-bottle, Octa-Pack and receive 12.5% off at 7 Lady Vineyards and on our online store. Utilize this discount on all your wine purchases.
- EARLY ACCESS TO PUBLIC EVENTS – Enjoy early bird access to all Dover Hall public events and wine dinners.
- SENSE OF PLACE – Our wines are sourced and produced where the grapes are grown varietally correct.
