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| Drinking Windows and Values |
| Drinking window: Drink between 2009 and 2014 (based on 17 user opinions) |
| Community Tasting History |
| Community Tasting Notes (average 91.6 pts. and median of 91 pts. in 9 notes) - hiding notes with no text | | | Tasted by suarezd on 12/2/2012 & rated 91 points: Herb, chocolate, and fat. Medium to full-bodied merlot. Excellent. (1293 views) | | | Tasted by qwerty2 on 6/30/2012 & rated 92 points: I was afraid that it might have lost its edge, considering its age, but it's been exceptional. Wonderful bouquet, and it was full-bodied and rich, with those elegant smokey notes that the best Merlots seem to have. (1432 views) | | | Tasted by garlin on 5/21/2012: Laced with spicy new oak on the nose with a hint of Bing cherry and tobacco. Vibrant dark berry flavors infuse the plush front palate, rounded out by complex oak accents. Cellar age has only enhanced this Merlot and it will pair well with thick steak. (1531 views) | | | Tasted by MoreWinePlease on 1/17/2012 & rated 91 points: Rich, almost thick, fat and mouth coating. Liked by everyone in the blind tasting and my #2 out of five other Merlots. (1445 views) | | | Tasted by Bill Davis on 3/25/2011 & rated 92 points: Should have sipped this last year.. (1777 views) | | | Tasted by iamandyc on 7/23/2010 & rated 91 points: Much improved over the last few years. This bottle was fleshy, deep, balanced. Notes of chocolate, spice. A steal. Hope my last bottle is like this one. (1018 views) | | | Tasted by Bill Davis on 4/10/2010 & rated 95 points: Enjoyed as a sipper while cooking and then with steak in a chimichurri marinade sauce with pain de Catalan and pureed cauliflower/broccoli sautéed in garlic and pepper. (1230 views) | | | Tasted by dv002i on 8/5/2008 & rated 86 points: Sweet and cough syrupy on the nose. On the palate very spicy, predominately pepper. Tasted at vineyard. (1233 views) |
| Barnard Griffin 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.Reserve The Wine News | Wine Country This Week | Wine Lover's PageUSAAmerican 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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