Meritage Red
⏳ Drinking Window
Typically best enjoyed 5–15 years from the vintage release.
🍽️ Food & Wine Pairings
Roasted prime rib, grilled lamb chops, braised beef short ribs
✨ Technical Specifications
Fidelitas Meritage Red represents a masterful expression of Bordeaux-style blending from the rugged, sun-drenched slopes of the Red Mountain AVA in Washington State. Winemaker Charlie Hoppes crafts this wine to honor the standards of the Meritage Alliance, utilizing traditional Bordeaux varieties sourced from premium vineyard sites. The terroir of Red Mountain—characterized by southwest-facing slopes, intense daytime heat, cool desert nights, and wind-blown glacial soils—imparts a signature structure, remarkable concentration, and fine-grained tannins to the blend. Historically, Red Mountain was once considered too harsh and dry for viticulture, but pioneering winemakers proved that its unique microclimate could yield some of the most powerful and age-worthy red wines in North America. This Meritage blend captures that pioneering spirit, offering a harmonious balance of rich dark fruit, savory complexity, and elegant oak integration.
🍾 About the Producer
Established in 2000 by veteran Washington winemaker Charlie Hoppes, Fidelitas is an artisanal winery dedicated to showcasing the distinct terroir of the Red Mountain AVA in Washington State. True to the Latin meaning of its name—faithfulness—the estate adheres to a philosophy of unwavering fidelity to grape varietal and vineyard character. Sourcing fruit from premier sites such as Quintessence, Ciel du Cheval, and the Fidelitas Estate Vineyard, the winery utilizes precise small-lot fermentation and focused oak aging. Fidelitas is celebrated for its powerful, structured, and age-worthy Bordeaux-style reds, most notably its acclaimed single-vineyard Cabernet Sauvignons, Malbec, and signature Optu Red blend.