Carmody McKnight Meritage -- Cadenza won against all wines in the California State Fair Wine Competition, the Academy Awards of the wine world. The California State Fair Wine Competition is the oldest and most prestigious of the wine competitions. The legendary Cadenza has achieved an unprecedented 6 awards, judged from 2,532 wine entries! It garnered a 98 rating, Double Gold, Best of Class (Meritage), Best of Region, and the top wine against all California entries!

The label on the Carmody McKnight Cadenza also won the highest of prizes in the major label competition -- the Orange County Fair, where all California labels are automatically judged. Out of 3,700 labels, the Meritage label (graphics and painting by proprietor Gary Carmody Conway) won the Double Gold and Best of Show! This is the first time that any wine won a double gold for its wine as well as its label in the top competitions!

The eagerly awaited 2003 Cadenza is here and promises to be another champion! The Meritage Cadenza for 2003 is the consummate blend of 64% Cabernet Sauvignon, 26% Cabernet Franc, and 10% Merlot.

Gorgeously complex, a wondrous display of spicy, mocha-laced currant intermingling with ripe black cherry, cassis, sage and white chocolate. Deeply-layered, intense, with a long, complex finish.

Harvest Dates: CS October 01, CF October 2, M October 3, 2004
Blocks 3 (CF), 4 (M), 5 (CS)
Oak: 60% French, 40% American, 10% New
Aged: 37 months
Bottling Date: November 11, 2007
Production: 298 Cases