Northstar Merlot Columbia Valley 09

Review:

An elegant wine that opens with bold aromas of raspberry, mint, maple, chocolate, clove, coconut and licorice, it is medium-bodied, dense and muscular with a bold, rich, smoky coffee-mocha finish.

2006 Vintage

Dusty malt, dried herbs and bright cherry flavors are balanced well into this smoothly-structured wine that concludes with a supple, lingering finish.

2001 Vintage

Wine Advocate says: "Chocolate, blackberries, and cassis can be found in the nose of the 2001 Merlot Walla Walla Valley (86% Merlot, 14% Cabernet Sauvignon - 5,500 cases). This embracing, warm wine has a medium-bodied character packed with chunky layers of licorice, black fruits, and notes of road tar. Rustic and firm, it reveals outstanding depth of fruit. Projected maturity: 2007-2017."

Wine Spectator 91 points: "Lovely, elegant stuff, smooth and polished, carrying its black cherry, coffee and spice flavors on a velvety frame, all of it lingering effortlessly on a cedary finish. Drink now through 2009. 665 cases made." (HS)

Stunning wine. Smooth accents of chocolate and vanilla follow ripe fruit flavors of plum and cherry. This well-balanced wine delivers a long, supple finish. About 600 cases made, very limited. Previous vintage 91 points in Wine Spectator. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED.

This is the second vintage for the Walla Walla blend and it showcases Merlot and Cabernet from the best vineyards in the appellation.

Tasting Notes - This is an excellent wine with structure and finesse that typifies the Walla Walla Valley appellation. Smooth accents of chocolate and vanilla follow ripe fruit flavors of plum and cherry. This well-balanced wine delivers a long, supple finish.

86% Merlot, 14% Cabernet Sauvignon

Vineyards This is the second vintage for the Walla Walla blend and it showcases Merlot and Cabernet from the best vineyards in the appellation. The final blend consists of fruit from vines of six different vineyards including Vanessa and Windrow Vineyards (both on the Oregon side of the appellation) and Spring Valley Vineyard.

Winemaking Ripe grapes were destemmed and crushed, leaving 25% whole berries intact, then inoculated with various strains of yeast including Prise de Mousse and Fermirouge. Barrel aged for 17 months in primarily French oak and some American oak, using 68% new and 32%one-year-old French oak.

Ideal Food Pairing
Filet mignon, Roast pork loin and Robust cheeses.

Spring Valley Vineyards, located in the middle of rolling wheat fields, was planted in the early 1990s on land that the family has farmed for more than 100 years. These vineyards have loamy soils and are planted on a steep south-facing slope, allowing vines to absorb more of the sun's energy.

Planted in 1995, Vanessa Vineyards is located on the Oregon side of the appellation and contributed both Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon grapes to this vintage.

Windrow Vineyard, also on the Oregon side of the appellation, was established in 1985.

The final blend consists of fruit from the vines of six different vineyards.


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Northstar Merlot Columbia Valley 09
Winery: Northstar $41.95 Regular $37.76 in any 12 bottle order or Build a Case Qty.
Review: An elegant wine that opens with bold aromas of raspberry, mint, maple, chocolate, clove, coconut and licorice, it is medium-bodied, dense and muscular with a bold, rich, smoky coffee-mocha finish. 2006 Vintage Dusty malt, dried herbs and bright cherry flavors are balanced well into this smoothly-structured wine that concludes with a supple, lingering finish. 2001 Vintage Wine Advocate says: "Chocolate, blackberries, and cassis can be found in the nose of the 2001 Merlot Walla Walla Valley (86% Merlot, 14% Cabernet Sauvignon - 5,500 cases). This embracing, warm wine has a medium-bodied character packed with chunky layers of licorice, black fruits, and notes of road tar. Rustic and firm, it reveals outstanding depth of fruit. Projected maturity: 2007-2017." Wine Spectator 91 points: "Lovely, elegant stuff, smooth and polished, carrying its black cherry, coffee and spice flavors on a velvety frame, all of it lingering effortlessly on a cedary finish. Drink now through 2009. 665 cases made." (HS) Stunning wine. Smooth accents of chocolate and vanilla follow ripe fruit flavors of plum and cherry. This well-balanced wine delivers a long, supple finish. About 600 cases made, very limited. Previous vintage 91 points in Wine Spectator. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED. This is the second vintage for the Walla Walla blend and it showcases Merlot and Cabernet from the best vineyards in the appellation. Tasting Notes - This is an excellent wine with structure and finesse that typifies the Walla Walla Valley appellation. Smooth accents of chocolate and vanilla follow ripe fruit flavors of plum and cherry. This well-balanced wine delivers a long, supple finish. 86% Merlot, 14% Cabernet Sauvignon Vineyards This is the second vintage for the Walla Walla blend and it showcases Merlot and Cabernet from the best vineyards in the appellation. The final blend consists of fruit from vines of six different vineyards including Vanessa and Windrow Vineyards (both on the Oregon side of the appellation) and Spring Valley Vineyard. Winemaking Ripe grapes were destemmed and crushed, leaving 25% whole berries intact, then inoculated with various strains of yeast including Prise de Mousse and Fermirouge. Barrel aged for 17 months in primarily French oak and some American oak, using 68% new and 32%one-year-old French oak. Ideal Food Pairing Filet mignon, Roast pork loin and Robust cheeses. Spring Valley Vineyards, located in the middle of rolling wheat fields, was planted in the early 1990s on land that the family has farmed for more than 100 years. These vineyards have loamy soils and are planted on a steep south-facing slope, allowing vines to absorb more of the sun's energy. Planted in 1995, Vanessa Vineyards is located on the Oregon side of the appellation and contributed both Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon grapes to this vintage. Windrow Vineyard, also on the Oregon side of the appellation, was established in 1985. The final blend consists of fruit from the vines of six different vineyards.