Robert Karl Merlot 09

This vintage is 100% Merlot sourced from the Andrews Horse Heaven Ranch in the Horse Heaven Hills.

Previous Vintage Tasting Notes

2006 Vintage Tasting Notes

90 Wine Enthusiast The 15.5% alcohol does not get in the way of subtlety here. This typically stylish, 100% Merlot is smooth and supple, and it retains the fresh herbal highlights that are usually obliterated by high octane wines. This is a substantial Merlot, tight and muscular, with whiffs of smoke and those lovely noter of leaf and herb.

Outstanding! Wine Press Northwest The good doctor is in again with a memorable Merlot. Spokane osteopath Joe Gunselman typically produces reds with complexity, intensity, moderate tannins and rewarding acidity, and this doesn't disappoint. Pie cherries, chocolate-covered raisins, black truffles, moist earth and peppercorns fill the nostrils. Flavors of cherry and Baker's chocolate are joined by those earthy, truffle notes with blackberry in the midpalate.

2004 Vintage Tasting Notes

The 2004 Merlot is another first for Robert Karl Cellars. Although Joe Gunselman has fermented Merlot each vintage, he has always used it for blending. 2004 was a tricky vintage but patience in the vineyard paid off. The long hang time resulted in perfectly ripen and mature fruit resulting in a soft, generous and voluptuous Merlot with a core of currant and marionberry, finishing with a silky texture that goes on and on. A wine too beautiful not to stand on its own.

The 2004 Columbia Valley Merlot is 100% Merlot The fruit was sourced from our vines at Andrews Horse Heaven Ranch in Horse Heaven Hills. It was aged in 70% French oak and 30% American oak for 14 months, 60% of the oak was new. The ideal consumption is 5 to 7 years from release date, but this wine will develop for another 10 years. The alcohol by volume is 15.5%. It was bottled January 17, 2006