Columbia Valley Merlot

Cherry, cranberry, currant, blackberry, loamy earth and oak. Full-bodied and soft tannins.

Dark red purple with near black core. Inviting nose of black plum and graphite. Full-bodied palate confirms the nose with moderately firm tannins and medium plus acidity. Lingering dark graphite finish. This is what a “stinkin’ Merlot” should be like. Big, plush, and dark fruity. The almost Bordeaux-like mineral note adds to its capacity as a classic accompaniment to light cuts of beef, medium cheeses, or everyday casseroles. I’m enjoying with beef stroganoff. Drink now through 2025.

Black cherry, raspberry, currant, vanilla, loganberry, oak and hints of eucalyptus. Full-bodied and soft tannins.

This wonderful Washington (Prosser grapes) Merlot is earthy and chalky of body, but fruit-forward. Dominant flavors are black currant, dark cherry, and a hint of acidic blackberries at the finish.

Muy interesante!

Here is my Thursday’s Merlot for this week...

Dark ruby in color with a short purple rim.

Fruity nose of blackberries, currants, cherries, oak, vanilla, licorice, cloves, herbs, spices, dark chocolates, coffee, peppercorn, earth, vegetables, graphite and alcohol.

Full bodied with medium plus acidity and long legs.

Dry on the palate with cherries, sweet raspberries, tobacco, spices, chocolates, bitter herbs, earth, vegetables, oak, licorice, eucalyptus, dark coffee, pencil lead and peppercorn.

Medium plus on the finish with round, green tannins and tangy cranberries.

This is a nice Merlot from Washington State. Not fully balanced yet, as it is still young. Showing nice complexity and mouthfeel with bitter tannins.

This was a great vintage, and 6 years in the bottle was not enough apperantly, and will be better in 2 to 5 years. Drank from a half bottle (375ml).

Needed 90 minutes of airtime to open up properly and show some tannins.

I paired it with a cheese plate, crackers and jams.

A blend of 80% Merlot, 17% Cabernet Franc and 3% Petit Verdot. Aged in oak barrels for 18 months (30% new).


14.5% alcohol by volume.

88 points.

$25.

Heading towards old world characteristics with more restraint and structure. Well made. Fruit undefined but just ripened at moment. Fine finish. #merlot #lecole #washington #ctbucklinwine

Dark fruit solid tannins. Young and powerful.

It's time for some Merlot on this #MerlotThursday. Here's a nice one from Columbia Valley.

Dark ruby in color with a nice reddish rim.

Light nose of blueberries, black plums, cedar, light vanilla, earth, chocolates, pencil lead and black pepper.

Full bodied with medium acidity.

Dry on the palate with blackberries, black currants, plums, cooked cherries, cedar, vanilla, spices, chocolates, tobacco, coke, light vegetables and peppercorn.

Medium plus on the finish with round tannins and tangy raspberries.

This is a very tasty Merlot based Bordeaux blend from Washington State. Showing mild complexity with a nice mouthfeel.

Good by itself and with food. Nicely balanced and tangy.

Still young, but already enjoyable. Would be Interesting to see how this evolves in the next couple of years.

I've had the 2012 vintage a couple of years ago and I like this vintage better.

Wine Enthusiasts 92 points.

Needed 90 minutes in the decanter to open up properly, so give it time.

I paired it with a charcuterie board of meats and cheeses. Really nice with the extra fatty Brie cheese.

A blend of 81% Merlot, 14% Cabernet Franc, 3% Malbec and 2% Petit Verdot. Aged for 18 months in Oak barrels (30% new).

14.5% alcohol by volume.

91 points.

$24.

Cherry, raspberry, currant, blackberry, plum and oak. Full-bodied and soft tannins.