Pico & Vine Meritage

Pico & Vine Meritage is a Merlot-led Bordeaux-style red blend from Napa County, bottled at 14.5% ABV in a standard 750ml format. Built from all five classic Bordeaux grape varieties — Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Petite Verdot, and Malbec — it earned 87 points from Tastings.com on the 2014 vintage, underscoring its quality-to-value ratio within the Meritage category.

Quick Facts: ABV: 14.5%  |  Origin: Napa County, California  |  Style: Meritage (Bordeaux Blend)  |  Producer: Purple Wine + Spirits

Production & Heritage

Pico & Vine is produced by Purple Wine + Spirits under the direction of winemaker Joe Tapparo. The wine qualifies as a true Meritage — a designation reserved for blends composed exclusively of the noble Bordeaux grape varieties grown in the United States. The Merlot-dominant cuvée draws fruit from Napa County vineyards, and the production model prioritizes vineyard-to-bottle quality without the overhead of a destination winery facility, allowing the wine to deliver Napa County pedigree at an accessible price tier.

Tasting Notes

Aroma: Black cherry leads the nose, followed by ripe plum and blueberry. The fruit is generous and clean without heavy oak influence, creating an inviting opening.

Taste: Dark fruit flavors dominate the entry, with layers of black cherry and plum expanding across the mid-palate. Hints of vanilla and cedar emerge as the wine opens, adding subtle complexity. Tannins are firm yet supple, providing structure without harshness.

Finish: The finish is lingering and dry, with dark fruit and a trace of cedar persisting. The balanced tannin structure carries the wine through a satisfying close.

How to Drink Pico & Vine Meritage

This Meritage drinks well at a slight chill — around 60–65°F — and benefits from 15–20 minutes of air after opening. It holds up in a classic Bordeaux-style glass that concentrates its dark fruit aromas.

• Sangria: The ripe fruit profile and dry finish give body to a traditional red sangria without becoming jammy.
• Mulled Wine: Firm tannins and dark berry character stand up well to warming spices like cinnamon and clove.
• Red Wine Spritzer: The wine's clean fruit and moderate weight make a surprisingly refreshing warm-weather serve with sparkling water and citrus.

Best For

• Weeknight dinners where you want Napa quality without opening an expensive bottle
• Introducing someone to the Meritage category and Bordeaux-style blending
• Casual dinner parties with grilled meats or charcuterie boards
• Building a case of reliable, food-friendly reds under a modest budget

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Pico & Vine Meritage taste like? It leads with generous black cherry and plum fruit, supported by touches of vanilla and cedar. Tannins are firm but approachable, and the finish is dry and lingering.

How does Pico & Vine Meritage compare to other value Napa red blends? Unlike many budget California red blends that use non-traditional grape varieties, Pico & Vine is a true Meritage composed exclusively of the five classic Bordeaux grapes. This distinction gives it more structural complexity and a closer resemblance to Left Bank Bordeaux than a typical California "red blend" label.

Is Pico & Vine Meritage good for beginners? Yes — the Merlot-led composition makes it approachable with softer tannins than a Cabernet-dominant wine, while the five-grape blend adds enough complexity to reward attentive tasting.

Where is Pico & Vine Meritage made? It is produced from Napa County, California vineyards by Purple Wine + Spirits, a California-based wine production company led by winemaker Joe Tapparo.

What foods pair well with Pico & Vine Meritage? Grilled ribeye steak complements the firm tannins and dark fruit. Aged cheddar or Gruyère echoes the wine's hints of cedar. Braised short ribs mirror its depth and supple structure. Roasted lamb with herbs pairs naturally with the Bordeaux-style blend. A simple mushroom risotto highlights the wine's vanilla and earthy undertones.

What sizes does Pico & Vine Meritage come in? It is available in the standard 750ml bottle.

Is Pico & Vine Meritage worth the price? Positioned as a value-tier Napa County Meritage, it delivers a genuine five-grape Bordeaux blend at a fraction of what most Napa Meritage labels command, making it a strong value within the category.

Why Pico & Vine Meritage?

True Meritage designation requires a blend made exclusively from the noble Bordeaux varieties, and many wines in this price range simply don't qualify. Pico & Vine checks that box with all five grapes represented — Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Petite Verdot, and Malbec — sourced from Napa County. The 87-point score from Tastings.com on the 2014 vintage confirms that the wine performs above its weight class. For anyone seeking an authentic, well-structured Bordeaux-style blend from one of California's most respected appellations without a premium price tag, this bottle delivers.