Northstar
Premier Columbia Valley Merlot
Columbia Valley, Oregon/Washington, USA
I love this Washington Merlot. It’s distinctly different from California versions. This is Northstar’s high end offering. They are based in Walla Walla often thought of as the top area for Merlot in Eastern Washington but this carries the Columbia Valley designation. I just find that odd but there’s nothing odd about this wine... at all. It carries the rich texture and density of a great wine with a nice level of acidity and structure to hold it steady. Worthy of its hefty price.
I love this Washington Merlot. It’s distinctly different from California versions. This is Northstar’s high end offering. They are based in Walla Walla often thought of as the top area for Merlot in Eastern Washington but this carries the Columbia Valley designation. I just find that odd but there’s nothing odd about this wine... at all. It carries the rich texture and density of a great wine with a nice level of acidity and structure to hold it steady. Worthy of its hefty price.
Dec 18th, 2020
100% Merlot from the Four Feathers Vineyard. The fruits are candied & perfumed on the nose. Blackberries, dark cherries, cherries, plum, black plum, black raspberries, black licorice, tarry notes, light spice, baking spices, violets and dark fresh florals. The palate has velvety M+ tannins & body, violet infused fruits that match the nose but add strawberries. Dry stones, crushed rocks, light pepper, spices that lift and intensify off the palate, cola and fresh purple florals. The acidity is well done. The finish is rich, elegant and showcases a lot of spice. Photos of, the estate building, Merlot grapes that will apparently finish veraison by the first week of September! Mmmm? Last, their visitor tasting patio. Northstar is a premium Walla Walla producer owned by Chateau Ste. Michelle
100% Merlot from the Four Feathers Vineyard. The fruits are candied & perfumed on the nose. Blackberries, dark cherries, cherries, plum, black plum, black raspberries, black licorice, tarry notes, light spice, baking spices, violets and dark fresh florals. The palate has velvety M+ tannins & body, violet infused fruits that match the nose but add strawberries. Dry stones, crushed rocks, light pepper, spices that lift and intensify off the palate, cola and fresh purple florals. The acidity is well done. The finish is rich, elegant and showcases a lot of spice. Photos of, the estate building, Merlot grapes that will apparently finish veraison by the first week of September! Mmmm? Last, their visitor tasting patio. Northstar is a premium Walla Walla producer owned by Chateau Ste. Michelle
Aug 12th, 2017
A rich dark thick 100% Yakima valley Merlot, this wine is suffused with chewy mocha tannins, with an almost bread-like quality to the mouthfeel.
A rich dark thick 100% Yakima valley Merlot, this wine is suffused with chewy mocha tannins, with an almost bread-like quality to the mouthfeel.
Jan 1st, 2017
Merlot defined. It's classic. Every time I drink this wine I wish I had a huge vertical. Green olive, red and black fruit, pyrazine'y edge. Tasting room is gorgeous
Merlot defined. It's classic. Every time I drink this wine I wish I had a huge vertical. Green olive, red and black fruit, pyrazine'y edge. Tasting room is gorgeous
May 6th, 2016
Absolutely stunning. Best wine I’ve ever tried from Northstar. Has many years ahead of it.
Absolutely stunning. Best wine I’ve ever tried from Northstar. Has many years ahead of it.
May 12th, 2020
Lovely lovely Merlot. It just continues to get better as it sat out and warmed up. One of the better Merlots in WA.
Lovely lovely Merlot. It just continues to get better as it sat out and warmed up. One of the better Merlots in WA.
Nov 23rd, 2019Wow. Incredibly impressed with how this aged. So much fruit left on this still with even a little spice on the back palate. Worth the money. Could even still hold this for a bit longer.
Wow. Incredibly impressed with how this aged. So much fruit left on this still with even a little spice on the back palate. Worth the money. Could even still hold this for a bit longer.
Jun 26th, 2019Actually surprisingly good. It was wise to let this one age. The fruit has really smoothed out on this one. Impressed.
Actually surprisingly good. It was wise to let this one age. The fruit has really smoothed out on this one. Impressed.
Mar 2nd, 2019Tasting so good right now! Glad I still have a few bottles left.
Tasting so good right now! Glad I still have a few bottles left.
Dec 26th, 2017