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| Drinking Windows and Values |
| Drinking window: Drink between 2007 and 2011 (based on 75 user opinions) |
| Community Tasting History |
| Community Tasting Notes (average 87 pts. and median of 87 pts. in 39 notes) - hiding notes with no text | | | Tasted by 27greywolf on 3/8/2014 & rated 87 points: Still delicious after all these years! Sedimented as expected, but still had plenty of tannins. Oak is still noticeable, but exceptionally smooth and easy-drinking as a Merlot should be. (2612 views) | | | Tasted by Slug81 on 4/6/2013 & rated 88 points: Full body merlot. Needed to decant due to age of wine. Notes of fig and tobacco. Went well with grilled hamburgers topped with horseradish ranch grilled Texas sweet onion. (2964 views) | | | Tasted by Oakjeff on 3/5/2012 & rated 85 points: Definitely past its prime but still enjoyable. Black cherry & chocolate. (3682 views) | | | Tasted by Tim221 on 3/10/2011 & rated 87 points: A great merlot! Very drinkable, good body, nice flavor and tannins. Medium body on the aftertaste. Great value. (4146 views) | | | Tasted by wicho on 12/29/2010 & rated 90 points: Great nose and still some fruit on the palate. Extremely enjoyable! (4278 views) | | | Tasted by Aurelius on 4/11/2010 & rated 87 points: This is what Washington merlot is all about; black cherry fruit, dusty soft tannins and cocoa powder. Absolutely yummy. (2918 views) | | | Tasted by brianb8851 on 12/31/2009 & rated 88 points: Was very surprised by this bottle. Lots of smooth, round cherry mixed with a touch of oak. Very nice finish with good acid backbone. (2433 views) | | | Tasted by dfitzg2 on 11/9/2009 & rated 91 points: Great wine! Very drinkable. Nice present from a friend of long-standing. (2254 views) | | | Tasted by Capt M on 10/30/2009: Unfortunately, with this bottle I'm late to the delivery of the promised goods. It is either too old or affected by heat. Some evidence of the fine cherry it had is still in it. It is unfair to allot a score to this bottle. (2202 views) | | | Tasted by Kirk Grant on 8/21/2009 & rated 87 points: In the glass this is a deep plum at the core with a light ruby rim at the edge of the glass. Scents of cedar, dark fruits, earth and cigar dominate the nose. In the mouth there is good acidity and medium tannins followed by soft dark fruits, blueberry, coffee cake, and spice with a light hint of oak at the tail end of a short-medium length finish. (2543 views) | | | Tasted by DTWOB on 6/20/2009 & rated 89 points: Deep dark, mild nose, dark fruit forward taste with a nice finish. (2667 views) | | | Tasted by chiliman96 on 5/24/2009 & rated 88 points: nice well balanced, smooth, medium body, medium finish, soft tannins, lacks complexity otherwise it's a 92 point wine; good value; (2680 views) | | | Tasted by Capt M on 3/28/2009 & rated 88 points: Pretty thick dark crimson red. Very fresh nose with scents of celery stalk mixed with ripe cherries, black berries and hints of cinnamon bark. Enters elegant and paced in the palate, and evolves quickly, thus providing a nice sensation, showing again elegance, some power, some structure and body in the mid-palate, saving the fruit outburst to the end. Nice blackberry, black currant, some tobacco, and dark plum. Nice long finish. This wine can be cellared another four or five years with confidence. This is another wine that makes you sense Europe in an american bottle. Nice! (2672 views) | | | Tasted by Capt M on 3/7/2009 & rated 87 points: Tasty cherries and berries in this wine, all encompassed in the elegance of Merlot, and in good harmony and balance. Beautiful character of varietal, showing fruit and terroir. Changes quite a bit when paired with food. (2495 views) | | | Tasted by BrooksT on 3/2/2009 & rated 85 points: Perfectly drinkable, nothing special. (2601 views) | | | Tasted by vbprog on 1/7/2009 & rated 91 points: outstanding Merlot! Very smooth finish that had soft tannins and even acidity. The flavor was full. Paired well with pasta and crusty bread. (3001 views) | | | Tasted by BSpdx on 1/7/2009 & rated 84 points: A rustic offering from CSM. The nose gives very little save for hints of oak and sweet cherries which follow though to the palate, and are accompanied by a hint of rasberries. A somewhat thin frame and a little vegetal it finishes quick and just a touch tannic. Drink now. (2562 views) | | | Tasted by nvexplorer on 12/23/2008 & rated 89 points: Almost outstanding! Not as tame as many merlots, but that is no criticizism, with enough soft tannins to be noticed. Fruit for sure, but not too, as well as oak but, again, subtle. Trace of cocoa (Kahlua?). Paired well with grilled chops. (2640 views) | | | Tasted by DomVito on 12/20/2008 & rated 88 points: drank at lemont. Smooth. Just right amy of oak. Nice inexpensive merlot. (2703 views) | | | Tasted by Guitar George on 12/6/2008 & rated 86 points: Nice merlot especially for the price. Not overly complicated, but a very nice wine with a great feel in the mouth and a nice long finish. I was surprised by the depth of the taste, much more than the recent Hendry Zinfandel I had. This was much more satisfying. (2638 views) | | | Tasted by sbmartin on 11/29/2008 & rated 87 points: Certainly drinkable though not one that impressed me. The fruit has a really odd balance and seems to vanish without any real complexity. (2827 views) | | | Tasted by Capt M on 11/22/2008 & rated 89 points: Nice, nice fruit, with beautiful balance. More mature and harmonic after a few months of cellaring. (2587 views) | | | Tasted by Bellissimo on 10/13/2008 & rated 87 points: Better than decent as others have suggested though it won't rock your world. Fair value. Nice dark fruits with tannins present through an interesting finish. (2800 views) | | | Tasted by Guitar George on 9/21/2008 & rated 86 points: Decent merlot with good fruit and oak. A little tannin and a medium finish. (2888 views) | | | Tasted by mstrickland on 9/18/2008 & rated 89 points: delicious great with chocolate. Good value. Drinkable with or without food. smooth mild finish with tasty barrell flavor (2865 views) | | | Only displaying the 25 most recent notes - click to see all notes for this wine... |
| Chateau Ste. Michelle 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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