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| Drinking Windows and Values |
| Drinking window: Drink between 2008 and 2012 (based on 8 user opinions) |
| Community Tasting History |
| Community Tasting Notes (average 88.6 pts. and median of 89 pts. in 40 notes) - hiding notes with no text | | | Tasted by Mossrose on 9/27/2016 & rated 92 points: The Gordon Brothers Winery has as its main focus to provide good quality wines at a decent price, and the Merlot they made is a fine introduction to how good a Merlot Washington State can make for around $20. At 11 years old, the wine remains opaque black to the edge. The nose is a delightful and inviting black cherry. The sipped wine enters the mouth very smooth and juicy. Only after the swallow does the taste veer into some firm tannin that helps the wine never taste flabby, age well for at least a decade, add blackberry, and taste well with fatty and meaty foods. Overall, a generous, delicious, and fruity Merlot with refreshing acidity and good concentration. (59 views) | | | Tasted by 3daywinereview.com on 2/2/2012 & rated 87 points: Minneapolis Wine Club California Merlot; 2/1/2012-2/2/2012: Typical Washington State Merlot with cherry, plum and spice. Some oak and touch of sweetness. Drink now. (3440 views) | | | Tasted by rocknroller on 1/28/2012 & rated 87 points: Minneapolis Wine Club Does Merlot (Gail's House): Very dark red color. Ws open for 3+ hours in the bottle, then aerated into glasses. Drank small pour over 20 minutes. Nose shows oak, dark red fruits, earth, spice. The palate is consistent, tart, average finish that is a bit metallic. 87+pts. (3493 views) | | | Tasted by Briangray77 on 1/29/2011 & rated 93 points: on the nose im getting heavy chocolate and leather with some wonderful dark fruits and caramel apples. on the palette there is black cherry and blackberry fruit with some substantial tannins to balance out the sweet. great chocolate and licorice on the mid. the finish is long and fruitastic! i like merlots but i really like this one! (3199 views) | | | Tasted by mtkutzman@gmail.com on 11/28/2010 & rated 89 points: Wine, just ok; weak fruit: drank with O'Rourkes (3322 views) | | | Tasted by gphayes on 10/3/2010 & rated 87 points: Dark and complex, but oak is a little overpowering. Decant or hold and hope this integrates. Does have potential over the next few years. (2761 views) | | | Tasted by GARDEN on 4/14/2010 & rated 89 points: 88 on night one and 89 on night 2 (1884 views) | | | Tasted by Cobbster on 3/18/2010 & rated 90 points: Great nose of dark cherry; black fruit with just-right oak on the palate. Very nice. (1847 views) | | | Tasted by GARDEN on 2/28/2010 & rated 88 points: As opposed to the last bottle, this one devolved rather than evolved between nights one and two. I gave this an 89 on night one and an 87 on night two. (1924 views) | | | Tasted by Pour Boy on 2/27/2010 & rated 88 points: Soft, supple Merlot from Washington, which has made a name for itself in this grape. Nice effort. I had cellared this for two years. (2161 views) | | | Tasted by Steve Jones on 12/25/2009 & rated 90 points: Christmas 2009; 12/24/2009-12/26/2009: Rich, moderately intense, beautiful round fruit. Blueberry, tobacco, and a good finish to boot. Excellent wine from Washington! (2652 views) | | | Tasted by GARDEN on 8/2/2009 & rated 91 points: Rated this 89 on day one and 91 on day two. I would recommend holding or decanting. (2252 views) | | | Tasted by BSpdx on 6/11/2009 & rated 87 points: Slightly disappointed with this offering. Things begin on a good note with a nose that offers fresh, dark fruit and a whiff of vanilla. Upfront there's some plums, a hint of blueberries, but the fruit tails off dramatically and the back half is overwhelmed by a solid wall of cedar and a touch of sage. The lack of balance detracts what would otherwise be a sold mix of flavors. (2108 views) | | | Tasted by familydoc on 1/30/2009 & rated 89 points: Nose: grape, oak, dark fruit Taste: firm grip of dark fruit and grape initially, somewhat heavy oak on the finish, but this wine has very nice balance and it's a plus up (2207 views) | | | Tasted by Putte on 11/1/2008 & rated 89 points: Nice forward fruit with plums and blueberries. Very approachable and easy drinking, but with some serious backbone to it. Enjoyed very much! (2281 views) | | | Tasted by mtkutzman@gmail.com on 7/4/2008 & rated 90 points: Wine very full bodied, black cherries and tobacco aroma (2493 views) | | | Tasted by messiahmoose on 4/21/2008: Decent but did not blow me away. Would be interested to try other offering by the producers. (2900 views) | | | Tasted by whynblog on 4/19/2008 & rated 88 points: Silimar to previous notes. (2579 views) | | | Tasted by jnastynebr on 2/2/2008 & rated 88 points: Much better when re tasted on day two. Dry tobacco, plum, bitter chocolate, and cedar aromas with similar flavors. Not giving much at this stage. Hold for another 2+. (2932 views) | | | Tasted by peterkj on 1/22/2008: En mørk rd vin med en stram duft af modne bær og frugt. Smagen er fløjlsblød med toner af kirsebær, chokolade, blyant og vanillie. En god allrounder, blød, rund og lækker. Karakter: 9 (2870 views) | | | Tasted by wino_tim on 1/19/2008 & rated 89 points: Toasty, with aromas of cafe latte, blueberry and dark plum. Mocha, coffee grounds, and bits of blueberry flavor dance along some fairly gripping tannins. The finish shows more fruit, and some real elegance. (2938 views) | | | Tasted by whynblog on 11/17/2007 & rated 88 points: Dark garnet in color. The nose is full of wild berry, vanilla and chocolate covered cherries. The flavors are sweet dark cherry, cedar and mocha. Acidity is nicely balanced and the tannins are a touch wild now but will mellow over time. This is a very good wine for the price. (3062 views) | | | Tasted by vordo on 9/25/2007 & rated 90 points: great silky mouthfeel (3447 views) | | | Tasted by Smyrna Vinings on 9/21/2007 & rated 90 points: good, but much better the second day. Little young yet to drink or need to decant or open in advance (3390 views) | | | Tasted by PerfectVintage on 9/11/2007 & rated 89 points: Aromas of dark cherry & oak. A bit tight & moderately tannic, 1-2 hrs later reveals a nice palate of blueberry, cherry & a hint of chocolate. As it develops, maintains its acidity and secondary oak flavors. The favorable Q.P.R. makes it tempting to pop and pour now. Would recommend decanting if so. Short term cellaring is preferable & should reward you nicely. The reds and particularly Merlots coming from Washington continue to impress and this is a fine example. (3349 views) | | | Only displaying the 25 most recent notes - click to see all notes for this wine... |
| Gordon Estate Producer websiteMerlotMerlot is a dark blue–colored wine grape variety, that is used as both a blending grape and for varietal wines. The name Merlot is thought to be a diminutive of merle, the French name for the blackbird, probably a reference to the color of the grape. Its softness and "fleshiness", combined with its earlier ripening, makes Merlot a popular grape for blending with the sterner, later-ripening Cabernet Sauvignon, which tends to be higher in tannin.USAAmerican wine has been produced since the 1500s, with the first widespread production beginning in New Mexico in 1628. Today, wine production is undertaken in all fifty states, with California producing 84% of all U.S. wine. The continent of North America is home to several native species of grape, including Vitis labrusca, Vitis riparia, Vitis rotundifolia, and Vitis vulpina, but the wine-making industry is based almost entirely on the cultivation of the European Vitis vinifera, which was introduced by European settlers. With more than 1,100,000 acres (4,500 km2) under vine, the United States is the fourth-largest wine producing country in the world, after Italy, Spain, and France.Washington Washington Wine Commission | Credit to Washingtonwine.org for this article
Washington Wine
Washington State is a premium wine producing region located in the northwest corner of the United States. Although a relatively young wine industry, it is now the nation's second largest wine producer and is ranked among the world's top wine regions. Washington wines are found nationally in all 50 states and internationally in more than 40 countries.
Wineries
With 30,000+ acres planted, the state has ideal geography and conditions for growing premium vinifera wine grapes. Primarily grown on their own root stocks, the vines produce grapes of consistent quality, resulting in strong vintages year after year. While its focus is on Chardonnay, Riesling, Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon and Syrah, the region also produces a wide range of other spectacular whites and reds.
Growers
Winemakers from all over the world have chosen to establish themselves in Washington, where they can create wines reflecting this region's unique characteristics. Their hand-crafted wines are receiving wide acclaim from critics regionally, nationally and internationally for their consistently high quality. Many of them have received scores of 90 and above from the major wine media. Overall this is a higher percentage than other leading wine regions.
Regions
As the state's fourth largest fruit crop, the Washington wine industry is an important contributor to the long-term preservation of Washington agriculture. The industry is committed to sustainable agricultural practices and conservation of water resources.
Washington State is a premium wine producing region located in the northwest corner of the United States. Although a relatively young wine industry, it is now the nation's second largest wine producer and is ranked among the world's top wine regions. Washington wines are found nationally in all 50 states and internationally in more than 40 countries.
Varieties
Washington produces more than 20 wine grape varieties - a ratio of 56 percent white to 44 percent red. As the industry matures and experiments, it finds many grape varieties that thrive throughout Washington's microclimates. There are more than 16,000 vineyard acres of red wine varieties statewide.
History & Vintages
Washington's wine future is limitless. As consumers discover the quality of Washington wines, demand continues to grow nationally and internationally. New acreage and wine varietals are being planted and new wineries are opening at a remarkable pace. Washington State is recognized as a premium viticultural region around the world.
State Facts
Washington's wine industry generates more than $3 billion to the state economy. It employs more than 14,000 people, directly and indirectly, with projections to add nearly 2,000 more jobs by 2006. In terms of tax revenues accrued to the state and federal government, wine grapes are among the highest tax generators of any agricultural crops. Furthermore, Washington wine tourism attracts nearly two million visitors annually contributing to the positive growth of local and regional economies.
Washington State - the perfect climate for wine = ideal growing conditions, quality wines, business innovation, lifestyle, and social responsibility. All are key elements of this world-class wine industry.
Vintages
"2008 and even more so 2010 and 2011 were cool, even cold vintages (think: 2002 in the Barossa) without the extreme ripeness, extract and higher alcohol that had become the norm in the state’s post 1995 world. 2008 was manageable but the duo of 2010/2011 nearly caused a “great depression” in Washington State." - Jon RimmermanColumbia Valley Columbia Cascade Winery Association
The Columbia Valley AVA lies mostly in Washington state, with a small section in Oregon. The Cascade Range forms its western boundary with the Palouse regions bordering the area to the east. To the north, the Okanogan National Forest forms a border with the AVA and Canada. It encompasses the valleys formed by the Columbia River and its tributaries, including the Walla Walla River, the Snake River, and the Yakima River. The Columbia valley stretches between the 46th parallel and 47th parallel which puts it in line with the well known French wine growing regions of Bordeaux and Burgundy. The northern latitude gives the areas two more hours of additional daylight during the summer growing season than wine regions of California receive. The volcanic and sandy loam soil of the valley offers good drainage and is poor in nutrients, ideal in forcing the vine to concentrate its resources into the grape clusters.Columbia Valley Columbia Valley Winery Association |
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