Benegas Lynch Meritage

Benegas Lynch Meritage is one of Argentina's premier wines, from Federico Benegas with consultant wine maker Michel Rolland. It's made at the Finca Libertad vineyard, one of the oldest in Mendoza. Steven Spurrier likens it to a first growth bordeaux from an exceptional year!

Varietal composition:

50% Cabernet Sauvignon, 30% Cabernet Franc, 15% Merlot, 5% Petit Verdot

Grapes Origin:

Finca Libertad, Upper Bank of Mendoza River, Cruz de Piedra, Maipu, Mendoza. Old vines from 40 to 120 years old.

Harvest time:

Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc in the second half of April, Merlot end of March and Petit Verdot second half of March.

Winemaking process:

Cold maceration. Fermentation at 25º C. Fermentative maceration during 20 days. Malolactic fermentation in new French oak barrels of each varietal by separate. In the case of the Cabernet Franc it is aged in 500 lt French oak barrels. After 12 months ageing in wood the blend is made and the wine goes back to oak barrels for another 6 months. Bottling.

Ageing:

18 months in new French oak barrels and 5 years of bottle ageing.

Technical data:

alcohol:14,70. pH: 3,8. Acidity: 4,80.

Tasting notes:

Colour:

Clean and brilliant. Intense dark red colour with brick red hues.

Nose:

The complexity of the varietal composition exhibits in the nose aromas of red and black fruit, spices like white pepper, clove and cardamom. Herbal notes of eucalyptus ,thyme and rosemary. The wood ageing renders cocoa and vanilla notes.

Mouth:

Strong presence in the entrance. It reaches the maximum volume with a high impact in the mid palate, showing round tannins resulting from the blend of the four varietals. Long and lingering finish with delicate herbaceous notes.

Ageing capacity :

15 - 20 years

Serving temperature:

We recommend to serve this wine between 17 and 18 C

Maridage:

To be paired with long cooked meals. Due to its heavy tannins is ideal to be paired with red meat and game.