2012 Columbia Crest Merlot Grand Estates
Community Tasting Note
Champagneinhand Does not like this wine:
Tuesday, February 24, 2015 - I thought some were being very harsh on a qpr, Merlot from a warm vintage that was most likely fermented and aged in steel with toasted spirals of oak trying to give it some finesse, but really this is one of the worst examples of wA merlot or Merlot in general that is one the market. This isn't a great QPR. This is a very warm vintage, but the flavors from oak are barrel or even barrique flavors but stuff from chips and circular toasted pieces which are really nothing but modern ways to attempt to give a wine, aged appearance. Really not good. Cocoa and chocolate make their appearances, but don't come with consistency or the acids that make a decent merlot. I was harsh reading some of the revues saying look towards Chile, but really good wA and CA Merlot exist but you will pay money to see and rink them and cellar time will be mandatory. Yes Italian greats are there, and the best qpr is from Unbria, in falsetto Merlot or whatever they have it branded for, in Wegman's its La Famiglie. Really unless you want to pay $30 for the better Right Bank bargains in Fronsac and I am speaking of La Vielle Cure or Chateau Fontenil, then you better give up on Melrot as a varietal as this is a piss poor example of what Merlot can offer and more of a warning of what to watch out for. Really, choose the Grand Estates Cabernet or go to the Two Vines Merlot-Cab Franc as a way better bet, than this crap. Faked, as in threaded oak shaving that have been toasted, all being legal in cA, but this isn't representative of real WA Columbia Valley or other Merlot. Shame on CC for letting this crap out on the market and shame even more on WS and others for buying in to this travesty.
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3 comments have been posted
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Comment posted by Barry Notes:
2/25/2015 8:01:00 AM - Will avoid and thanks for telling it like it is. More often than not, I sample before buying to avoid this kind of thing. Keep your glass full my CT friend.
Comment posted by pavinee.paulsness@gmail.com:
2/26/2015 6:32:00 PM - maybe you should stick to champagne.
Comment posted by Champagneinhand:
2/28/2015 6:19:00 PM - If I am at the locals when they are sampling stuff i will give wines a try. I had grown to expect more from Columbia Crest, but everybody can make mistakes big or small. I usually try the foreign stuff and buy via PCP pricing on stuff I am aware of. Kind of a let down, but 2 vines Merlot/Cab Franc from the Yak, was excellent considering how qpr it was. Wine can always be a surprise.