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| Drinking Windows and Values |
| Drinking window: Drink between 2024 and 2026 (based on 200 user opinions) |
| Community Tasting History |
| Community Tasting Notes (average 81.2 pts. and median of 80 pts. in 6 notes) - hiding notes with no text | | | Tasted by RebeccaWynne on 3/22/2024 & rated 70 points: It needed extra aeration. Tart…. Not the best. (103 views) | | | Tasted by fatris73 on 12/28/2023 & rated 89 points: Nase: kräftiges Bouquet, sehr beerig und fruchtig, erinnert an reichhaltige Brombeermarmelade mit einem Hauch von Alkohol, was eine angenehme Intensität verleiht. Etwas Süsses schimmert auch durch.
Gaumen: vollmundig, kräftig, strukturierte Gerbstoffe, ausgewogene Säure, die eine gute Balance zu den Tanninen bietet. Langer, trockener Abgang. Beim gemütlichen, gedankenversunkenen Trinken wirkt der Nordamerikaner zugänglich, konzentriert, geschmeidig und schön süffig.
Fazit: Ein toller Übersee-Merlot, der nicht einfach nur süss und fett ist. Gut, diese Zeiten sind eigentlich vorbei, auch die Amerikaner haben festgestellt, dass die Mehrheit der Menschen lieber Wein trinkt anstatt Marmeladen-Saft. Zurück zum Wein: dieser Merlot hat alles, um glücklich zu machen. Er ist fruchtig, geschmeidig, trocken, ist bekömmlich und gefällt auf der ganzen Linie. Und preislich sicher fair unterwegs. Klar, Weine aus Übersee haben immer diesen Hauch von Umweltsünder wegen dem Transport per Flieger undso. Das muss jeder für sich selbst entscheiden. Der Wein an sich ist ein Kauf wert, ob First Class nach Europa geflogen oder nicht. (287 views) | | | Tasted by Balibay on 2/14/2023 & rated 80 points: This has been my go to wine for the average weeknight for years. This vintage is far inferior to prior vintages. I have tried several bottles with the hope that it would get better. Sadly not to be… just flat and lifeless. None of the licorice, fruit and subtle oak from prior vintages. Not sure if they changed something in the process, but this is not what I have come to expect from Columbia Crest. (437 views) | | | Tasted by _Al_Gore_Rhythm_ on 12/3/2022 & rated 80 points: Flat in character and not very good. Low acidity and tannins. Grapey. Shockingly low QPR for Columbia Crest. (488 views) | | | Tasted by jjlobi on 10/1/2022 & rated 80 points: Has not improved (548 views) | | | Tasted by jjlobi on 9/18/2022 & rated 80 points: This vintage is disappointing. Previous vintages displayed so much more. The 2020 feels lighter with a not so pleasant taste I’m not a fan of the new look bottle and screw cap. Looks lone a cost savings move. Bring back 2018. (500 views) |
| By James Suckling
JamesSuckling.com (3/21/2023)
(Columbia Crest Merlot Columbia Valley Grand Estates, United States) Subscribe to see review text. | By Eric Guido
Vinous, Against All Odds: Washington State’s 2020s and 2019s (Mar 2023) (3/1/2023)
(Columbia Crest Merlot Grand Estates Washington Red) Subscribe to see review text. |
NOTE: Scores and reviews are the property of JamesSuckling.com and Vinous. (manage subscription channels) |
| Columbia Crest 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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