Surprisingly good -- one of those "left it in the back of the cellar, probably way over the hill" weeknight wines, that turned out to have matured well, and still really holds its own. Great balance, very smooth, and somewhat more complex than expected, especially for the age.
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I have always known Columbia Crest as a great value for solid, tasty, well-made (though mass-produced) Washington reds. This bottle was given to us by friends who had found it when cleaning out their basement. I popped & poured it with no expectations, assuming that, being an inexpensive wine produced to be drunk young, that at 9 years, it would be long over the hill.
BOY was I surprised. This wine is still very youthful! Clear, dark dark red with no bricking, lovely up-front nose with dominant cherry and some cigar-wrapper in the background, and barely noticeable tannins. Palate is balanced with alcohol, acid, and everything else all in place and nothing out of joint. This wine has REALLY come together nicely! Obviously not a blockbuster "star of the night" kind of wine, but no slouch. Paired very nicely with whole wheat shells & pesto.
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Pas de notes détaillées. Surpris par sa tenue, certainement assoupli et affiné, mais encore frais et fruité avec une légère pointe torréfiée en support. Simple dans l'ensemble, mais fort agréable tout de même. Boire sans attendre.
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Great aromas at first nose. Flowers and then some sort of fruits like mango. Dark berries, well balanced and smooth in flavour. Great pairing for Mexican food
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Give Columbia Crest a ton of credit for cranking out more than 100,000 cases of this stand-up Merlot year after year. Always a reliable drinker and one that benefits from a few years of cellaring.
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- Garnet color with slow forming legs and aromas of cherry. It's somewhat balanced and has flavours of blackberry, fig and cherry with a medium body. Smooth texture.
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This was good, but it was kind of thin and faded relatively quickly. Worked well with a stew but didn't hold its own afterwards. Probably better values out there even at $10.
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Found another bottle on the shelf, and figured i would try again, as i have just sampled a few other merlots...have like this in past and still plenty to be had at local store...i was surprised when i tried this that i did not find it as compelling as previous...this was more oaky and vanilla in character than anything else. Not complex or pleasant enough for me to want to buy more. It may have been the circumstances around consumption, but was kind of let down. See my prior notes.
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I found this one sitting in one of my wine racks, not sure how long I have been keeping it, though it turned out to be a pleasant surprise.
Nose was good, but simple with cherries and vanilla.
Taste was mostly cherries with mild (but not too mild) tannins and medium body, making for a nicely balanced and smooth, though not overly mellow merlot.
Best feature of this wine? I would say the QPR (buy if you can still find)
Overall, this is good for an everyday red, or something you might wish to serve to your relatives on a weekend who are otherwise used to drinking boxed wine.....
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An outstanding bargain. Consistent with previous vintages of this wine. Nice nose of ripe berries and cherries. At mid-palate is a cocoa essense and the finish is medium-long, and well balanced. Not a big block-buster wine, but a very pleasant sipper.
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85% Merlot, 7% Syrah, 5% Cabernet Franc, 3% Cabernet Sauvignon. Dark ruby color. Dark cherry and light oak nose. Medium-light bodied palate of sweet dark cherries, oak, and cocoa powder endnotes. Medium length finish. The fruit here is slightly too sweet and thin for my liking. Quite good overall, but this doesn’t come close to the 2005. Nonetheless, a good value at under $10.
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In trying to clean out some bottles to make space, this was number two of the night. The first one we dumped down the drain after one taste. This was very soft, and fruity. No complexity or tannins and maybe a touch green. Not great but not bad really for the price. This was at the opposite end of the spectrum from the Carlisle Papa's block we had the night before last.
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Fantastic Wine. Nose is perfect, black cherry and plum. Wine is medium bodied, earthy and has a wonderful balance of sweetness and tannin. Nice velvety finish. This may be my new favorite Merlot.
Update - Vacuum Pump Sealed and drank wine over 3 nights. 2nd night was as good as the first, but 3rd night the wine had fallen apart. Don't sit on this one folks!
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I've been off and on the Columbia crest bandwagon for a number of years now. They seem to make some surprisingly stellar wines one year then, not the next year...This bottle is a glorious surprise! At $8 a bottle in Safeway, it has to be considered a brilliant value. It has beautiful red fruit in the pallet with a firm sour cherry middle and a decently long/dry finish. Nicely complex and very well balanced for an $8 bottle of Merlot. Off to buy a case or more!
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Very much enjoyed this wine. Smooth and flavorful, and nothing offensive. Just the right balance of alcohol and tannin made the fruit flavors come out more. It has a bit of a coffee smell to it, but that doesn't come out in the flavor. Definitely going to buy more of this while I still can.
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Ran through the Vinturi - a bit hot and tannic the first night. Drinking much better the second night. Mostly plum and oak notes. Very good (the second night) - good QPR value.
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Note after 30 minutes. Nose of currants and rubber bands. Blackberry with well integrated coffee laced oak that is pleasantly not overly dominant. Very, Very good.
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The Columbia Crest Grand Estates wines just don't do it for me anymore. For $2 or $3 more, I can get a French or Italian with more depth and a much better finish.
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played beyond its price bracket. Nice depth of fruit on nose and palate and chocolatey notes. Some length as well. Very good for the $7 paid for it on sale. Wish I could find more at that price.
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After reading the mixed reviews of this wine, we were a bit curious about our thoughts. First thought -- used our Vinturi that we got for Christmas -- turned the wine from a low 80's to a mid 80's wine. Remarkable -- smoothed out the sharpness that were evident upon opening. You could really taste the fruits (berries of all kinds) and the earthiness of it. I guess that means that a bit more aging or decanting is called for -- but for a pop & pour situation, definitely Vinturi it to make it a much more palettable and appealing drink.
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I have to agree with dwe's note on 12/22/09. It does have a chocolate milk like feel on the back end of the palate. The nose gives me cinnamon along with chocolate, dark fruit and an overall creamy feeling. Very soft edges combined with well integrated sweet oak(I am very bothered by too much oak). Easy drinking by itself. A pleasant surprise for 10 dollars. As much as I believe Oregon Pinot is way over rated, Washington reds continue to over deliver for me. I live in NY, not a homer.
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Very nice bottle, unexpected actually for what I thought this would be...dark fruit on nose, medium bodied, chocolate milk consistency and taste at one point - nice mouth feel. Nice cherry fruit balanced with background oak. Nice solo and with a meal of spicy food that night (and an episode of lost).
Bogle Merlot was the last I've tried, which was also good.
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A go to wine that we can count on. Quite typical of Washington wines, very ripe and smooth, well integrated tannin and acid. Just enough oak to round things out. Only the slightest bit of that vegetal taste. A hint of spice, and just a little reminiscent of cranberry acid on the tongue. Smooth finish with a little leather.
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Pretty much consistent with note from 9/23. Paired with broiled Salmon. Slightly less tannic than previous bottle. It still pales in comparison to the 2005 vintage.
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Just not as good as past vintages. Nose gives hints of black fruit and baking spices and a little evergreen. Palate is medium/light bodied, lively and fresh, yet concludes with an abbreviated finish. Overall this is still a good value, but just doesn't live up to the high standards set by 03 - 05 offerings.
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Popped/poured while watching TV. I was again surprised at the decline with this bottle compared to previous ones. Pronounced alcohol with some dark fruit on the nose. Took about an hour for the alcohol to blow off. Dark fruit with some oak and a hint of caramel on the palate. Not as complex/smooth as previous bottles. Tannins very evident/somewhat bitter. Minimal finish. Will lay down for a few months to hopefully ease the tannins and let the fruit emerge.
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Hard to believe this was the same wine that I enjoyed so immensely before. Alcohol and bitter tannins overpowered what little fruit was there. Hopefully this was an aberration compared to previous bottles.
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I've had about 150 of these. I liked the 2005 better, but this one was good. Drank with a ribeye on the grill at the lake. A good night to driink a bottle of wine while sitting on the dock. Wasn't fishing.
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Some spice, decent body, touch of earth, plums & a bit of blackberry throughout. Pop & pour was a little oaky tasting, or just too much black pepper...but some air helped mellow it out & grew the body so that tannins, spice, smoke, and fruit sang in nice balance throughout.
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Full ruby color. Nose: black cherry, plum preserves, licorice, a little vanilla and smoky oak, and a nice element of damp earth/leaves. Palate: cherry jam, plum, vanilla cola, some pleasant oak. Lovely acidity. Moderate fine-grain tannins. Moderate length fading into flinty minerality and lingering cocoa powder. Very good stuff. Not as luscious as the '05, but a bit more balanced. Brilliant value as usual.
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Dark, inky purple in the glass. A very pleasant nose with a smoked meat quality. I also got some heat, black cherry, and plum. This wine was very tight and bitter on the palate despite a 30 minute decant. A little tart fruit, and slight pepper. It tasted young. The finish was a little peppery, without much fruit. Not sure if this needed a longer decant, but it was too tight for me. I wouldn't have a problem drinking this at a party, but I'll probably pass on purchasing this again.
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Popped and poured. Dark fruits, licorice, and mild oak on the nose. Fruit forward, jammy, and medium body on the palate with a touch of oak. Surprisingly moderate finish. My wife and I very much enjoyed this wine! It is a screaming QPR value! I can't believe it is a mass produced wine - for under $10 to boot! Will definitely purchase again.
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This is one of those catch 22 bottles of wine for me. I always have higher expections 4 the wine because WS consistently gives it 90pts. But @ the end of the day its a good wine 4 10bucks......but no way a 90pt wine 4 my palate.
Really distinctive blueberries, some tart fruits, a lil smokey, gets thin on the palate but the finish is good.
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4/14/2019 - Chack2003 Likes this wine:
Little late to drink this one, but had the bottle last night and it was still pretty good.
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2/10/2016 - chelidon Likes this wine: 88 Points
Surprisingly good -- one of those "left it in the back of the cellar, probably way over the hill" weeknight wines, that turned out to have matured well, and still really holds its own. Great balance, very smooth, and somewhat more complex than expected, especially for the age.
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1/27/2015 - Momus99 wrote: 89 Points
I have always known Columbia Crest as a great value for solid, tasty, well-made (though mass-produced) Washington reds. This bottle was given to us by friends who had found it when cleaning out their basement. I popped & poured it with no expectations, assuming that, being an inexpensive wine produced to be drunk young, that at 9 years, it would be long over the hill.
BOY was I surprised. This wine is still very youthful! Clear, dark dark red with no bricking, lovely up-front nose with dominant cherry and some cigar-wrapper in the background, and barely noticeable tannins. Palate is balanced with alcohol, acid, and everything else all in place and nothing out of joint. This wine has REALLY come together nicely! Obviously not a blockbuster "star of the night" kind of wine, but no slouch. Paired very nicely with whole wheat shells & pesto.
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10/5/2013 - kosmik Likes this wine: 86 Points
Pas de notes détaillées. Surpris par sa tenue, certainement assoupli et affiné, mais encore frais et fruité avec une légère pointe torréfiée en support. Simple dans l'ensemble, mais fort agréable tout de même. Boire sans attendre.
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4/19/2012 - jamon7 Likes this wine: 89 Points
Great aromas at first nose. Flowers and then some sort of fruits like mango. Dark berries, well balanced and smooth in flavour. Great pairing for Mexican food
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2/28/2012 - RJIwasaki wrote: 80 Points
Medium bodied with nice berry taste
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2/27/2012 - morganlmallory wrote: 91 Points
Strong notes of dark berries, rich and full-bodied, complex flavor, acidic, not very tannic, hot for a merlot
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12/10/2011 - DTWOB wrote: 86 Points
Seemed a little flat - drink now.
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11/23/2011 - Pour Boy wrote: 89 Points
Give Columbia Crest a ton of credit for cranking out more than 100,000 cases of this stand-up Merlot year after year. Always a reliable drinker and one that benefits from a few years of cellaring.
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10/7/2011 - WG198 wrote: 84 Points
- Garnet color with slow forming legs and aromas of cherry. It's somewhat balanced and has flavours of blackberry, fig and cherry with a medium body. Smooth texture.
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9/27/2011 - golfhawk wrote: 88 Points
It was a little better the next day. I think that it will last but I don't know if it will get better. It is still a pretty good everyday wine.
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7/23/2011 - Paul mcwilliams wrote: 85 Points
Good flavor
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7/7/2011 - mikacz wrote: 88 Points
W nosie przyjemna skóra, karmel, rodzynki ?? Usta mało cieliste ale delikatne i eleganckie. Fajne wino
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3/3/2011 - njg6gs wrote: 80 Points
All I remember is the heat on palate even though only 13.5% alc.
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12/27/2010 - Winiac wrote: 84 Points
Thin, oaky and short lasting in the mouth.
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12/3/2010 - Outplaying wrote:
AWS White Clay Chapter - Merlot (Newark, Delaware): Fruity, chocolate, cherry and vanilla. Pretty soft and simple but for $9.99 this is a nice wine.
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12/3/2010 - Tickman wrote: 85 Points
Watery middle. Slightly fruity. Long, easy finish.
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12/3/2010 - kbhiggins wrote: 84 Points
This was good, but it was kind of thin and faded relatively quickly. Worked well with a stew but didn't hold its own afterwards. Probably better values out there even at $10.
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11/14/2010 - YWG Wine Guy wrote: 86 Points
Found another bottle on the shelf, and figured i would try again, as i have just sampled a few other merlots...have like this in past and still plenty to be had at local store...i was surprised when i tried this that i did not find it as compelling as previous...this was more oaky and vanilla in character than anything else. Not complex or pleasant enough for me to want to buy more. It may have been the circumstances around consumption, but was kind of let down. See my prior notes.
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10/31/2010 - ckilpatrick wrote: 82 Points
Simple, a bit too sweet.
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10/28/2010 - LenV wrote: 84 Points
OK for the price, somewhat disappointing, thin
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10/19/2010 - bothellwineguy wrote:
I found this one sitting in one of my wine racks, not sure how long I have been keeping it, though it turned out to be a pleasant surprise.
Nose was good, but simple with cherries and vanilla.
Taste was mostly cherries with mild (but not too mild) tannins and medium body, making for a nicely balanced and smooth, though not overly mellow merlot.
Best feature of this wine? I would say the QPR (buy if you can still find)
Overall, this is good for an everyday red, or something you might wish to serve to your relatives on a weekend who are otherwise used to drinking boxed wine.....
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7/8/2010 - signotim wrote: 82 Points
preferred 2008 Bogle in blind tasting of $7 dollar Merlots from Safeway. CC Merlot was too heavy on sweet vanilla oak for my palate.
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6/26/2010 - ruffem wrote: 88 Points
An outstanding bargain. Consistent with previous vintages of this wine. Nice nose of ripe berries and cherries. At mid-palate is a cocoa essense and the finish is medium-long, and well balanced. Not a big block-buster wine, but a very pleasant sipper.
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6/18/2010 - nbowen wrote: 89 Points
As always, a superb value. I've never been disappointed with this wine. A good honest merlot.
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6/15/2010 - BrandrB wrote: 85 Points
85% Merlot, 7% Syrah, 5% Cabernet Franc, 3% Cabernet Sauvignon. Dark ruby color. Dark cherry and light oak nose. Medium-light bodied palate of sweet dark cherries, oak, and cocoa powder endnotes. Medium length finish. The fruit here is slightly too sweet and thin for my liking. Quite good overall, but this doesn’t come close to the 2005. Nonetheless, a good value at under $10.
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6/10/2010 - Outplaying wrote: 84 Points
In trying to clean out some bottles to make space, this was number two of the night. The first one we dumped down the drain after one taste. This was very soft, and fruity. No complexity or tannins and maybe a touch green. Not great but not bad really for the price. This was at the opposite end of the spectrum from the Carlisle Papa's block we had the night before last.
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5/30/2010 - luchavino wrote: 84 Points
Cherry nose and palate with a slightly watery finish. Nothing too interesting happening here
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5/28/2010 - YWG Wine Guy Likes this wine: 88 Points
see my prior note - was nice sipping before and during a summer bbq...
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5/27/2010 - Ann&Wayne wrote: 74 Points
We didn't like it. It was tart and green. We were expecting "divine" for this price but we were hopeful the age would help some; it didn't.
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5/19/2010 - cartime wrote: 84 Points
Medium cherry red. Ripe plum, baking spice, and milk chocolate. Short finish. Did not improve on second day.
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5/11/2010 - boyajian Likes this wine: 90 Points
Fantastic Wine. Nose is perfect, black cherry and plum. Wine is medium bodied, earthy and has a wonderful balance of sweetness and tannin. Nice velvety finish. This may be my new favorite Merlot.
Update - Vacuum Pump Sealed and drank wine over 3 nights. 2nd night was as good as the first, but 3rd night the wine had fallen apart. Don't sit on this one folks!
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4/17/2010 - paristrout wrote: 89 Points
this is one of the best merlot values out there.
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4/13/2010 - Winston Cellars wrote: 89 Points
I've been off and on the Columbia crest bandwagon for a number of years now. They seem to make some surprisingly stellar wines one year then, not the next year...This bottle is a glorious surprise! At $8 a bottle in Safeway, it has to be considered a brilliant value. It has beautiful red fruit in the pallet with a firm sour cherry middle and a decently long/dry finish. Nicely complex and very well balanced for an $8 bottle of Merlot. Off to buy a case or more!
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4/10/2010 - Baylorwine wrote: 84 Points
Decent Merlot, nothing special, but easily drinkable.
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4/7/2010 - Drugstore Cowboy wrote: 87 Points
Pleasantly surprised at the fruit and finish. Got it as a gift so don't know the cost. If a good value I'd buy it.
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3/27/2010 - Gingersnail wrote: 84 Points
average merlot, nothing memorable; was balanced
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3/16/2010 - devman wrote: 87 Points
Very much enjoyed this wine. Smooth and flavorful, and nothing offensive. Just the right balance of alcohol and tannin made the fruit flavors come out more. It has a bit of a coffee smell to it, but that doesn't come out in the flavor. Definitely going to buy more of this while I still can.
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3/13/2010 - Cmardel wrote: 87 Points
The daily drinker
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3/4/2010 - Rick B wrote: 87 Points
Ran through the Vinturi - a bit hot and tannic the first night. Drinking much better the second night. Mostly plum and oak notes. Very good (the second night) - good QPR value.
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3/2/2010 - Larsois wrote: 84 Points
very smooth and round with taste of oak and vanilla. I did miss some acidity.
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3/1/2010 - df1962 wrote: 89 Points
Good fruit a lot of flavour and complexity for the price.
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2/8/2010 - wineward wrote: 87 Points
Note after 30 minutes. Nose of currants and rubber bands. Blackberry with well integrated coffee laced oak that is pleasantly not overly dominant. Very, Very good.
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1/26/2010 - trayhumphrey wrote: 84 Points
The Columbia Crest Grand Estates wines just don't do it for me anymore. For $2 or $3 more, I can get a French or Italian with more depth and a much better finish.
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1/5/2010 - wilmette vino wrote: 87 Points
played beyond its price bracket. Nice depth of fruit on nose and palate and chocolatey notes. Some length as well. Very good for the $7 paid for it on sale. Wish I could find more at that price.
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1/5/2010 - StarM wrote: 85 Points
After reading the mixed reviews of this wine, we were a bit curious about our thoughts. First thought -- used our Vinturi that we got for Christmas -- turned the wine from a low 80's to a mid 80's wine. Remarkable -- smoothed out the sharpness that were evident upon opening. You could really taste the fruits (berries of all kinds) and the earthiness of it. I guess that means that a bit more aging or decanting is called for -- but for a pop & pour situation, definitely Vinturi it to make it a much more palettable and appealing drink.
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12/30/2009 - Tuffdawg wrote: 88 Points
I have to agree with dwe's note on 12/22/09. It does have a chocolate milk like feel on the back end of the palate. The nose gives me cinnamon along with chocolate, dark fruit and an overall creamy feeling. Very soft edges combined with well integrated sweet oak(I am very bothered by too much oak). Easy drinking by itself. A pleasant surprise for 10 dollars. As much as I believe Oregon Pinot is way over rated, Washington reds continue to over deliver for me. I live in NY, not a homer.
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12/22/2009 - YWG Wine Guy wrote: 89 Points
Very nice bottle, unexpected actually for what I thought this would be...dark fruit on nose, medium bodied, chocolate milk consistency and taste at one point - nice mouth feel. Nice cherry fruit balanced with background oak. Nice solo and with a meal of spicy food that night (and an episode of lost).
Bogle Merlot was the last I've tried, which was also good.
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11/27/2009 - Mike Kopanski wrote: 86 Points
A go to wine that we can count on. Quite typical of Washington wines, very ripe and smooth, well integrated tannin and acid. Just enough oak to round things out. Only the slightest bit of that vegetal taste. A hint of spice, and just a little reminiscent of cranberry acid on the tongue. Smooth finish with a little leather.
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11/20/2009 - Rick B wrote: 86 Points
Pretty much consistent with note from 9/23. Paired with broiled Salmon. Slightly less tannic than previous bottle. It still pales in comparison to the 2005 vintage.
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11/12/2009 - BSpdx wrote: 85 Points
Just not as good as past vintages. Nose gives hints of black fruit and baking spices and a little evergreen. Palate is medium/light bodied, lively and fresh, yet concludes with an abbreviated finish. Overall this is still a good value, but just doesn't live up to the high standards set by 03 - 05 offerings.
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11/11/2009 - acintheoc wrote:
Consistently good merlot for this price point 89 points.
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11/10/2009 - Rick B wrote: 84 Points
No formal notes taken - wine was overly tannic and a bit bland. Seems inconsistent with previous notes. Perhaps a bad bottle?
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10/26/2009 - shaneajohnson wrote:
Drank a bit and decided to freeze the rest to cook with.
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9/29/2009 - VanVino wrote: 84 Points
This is not nearly as good as earlier vintages. Over oaked.
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9/23/2009 - Rick B wrote: 85 Points
Popped/poured while watching TV. I was again surprised at the decline with this bottle compared to previous ones. Pronounced alcohol with some dark fruit on the nose. Took about an hour for the alcohol to blow off. Dark fruit with some oak and a hint of caramel on the palate. Not as complex/smooth as previous bottles. Tannins very evident/somewhat bitter. Minimal finish. Will lay down for a few months to hopefully ease the tannins and let the fruit emerge.
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8/27/2009 - blackmistressdiva wrote: 87 Points
Blackberry, cherry and wood chips. Soft, smokey and enjoyable. Great QPR at $8.
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8/26/2009 - Rick B wrote: 83 Points
Hard to believe this was the same wine that I enjoyed so immensely before. Alcohol and bitter tannins overpowered what little fruit was there. Hopefully this was an aberration compared to previous bottles.
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8/23/2009 - Tpety wrote:
I've had about 150 of these. I liked the 2005 better, but this one was good. Drank with a ribeye on the grill at the lake. A good night to driink a bottle of wine while sitting on the dock. Wasn't fishing.
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8/20/2009 - emon87 wrote: 87 Points
Mellow, not a strong flavor.
Definitely got better with time to breathe.
Enjoyed it with spaghetti.
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8/19/2009 - cobbpa wrote: 86 Points
Some spice, decent body, touch of earth, plums & a bit of blackberry throughout. Pop & pour was a little oaky tasting, or just too much black pepper...but some air helped mellow it out & grew the body so that tannins, spice, smoke, and fruit sang in nice balance throughout.
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8/9/2009 - grantsky wrote: 83 Points
Decent merlot, not as soft and plush as I like merlots. Too much oak, but had nice acidic/fruit balance.
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8/9/2009 - DTWOB wrote: 89 Points
Great QPR
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6/22/2009 - pdemaio wrote: 87 Points
A bit vegetable and acidic. Tannins are ok. A glass in the restaurant is almost the cost of the bottle in the store, but still the best option.
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5/23/2009 - alandf wrote: 87 Points
Fruit and oak -- just fine.
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5/20/2009 - jsums wrote: 87 Points
Full ruby color. Nose: black cherry, plum preserves, licorice, a little vanilla and smoky oak, and a nice element of damp earth/leaves. Palate: cherry jam, plum, vanilla cola, some pleasant oak. Lovely acidity. Moderate fine-grain tannins. Moderate length fading into flinty minerality and lingering cocoa powder. Very good stuff. Not as luscious as the '05, but a bit more balanced. Brilliant value as usual.
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5/9/2009 - chrwhite wrote: 83 Points
Dark, inky purple in the glass. A very pleasant nose with a smoked meat quality. I also got some heat, black cherry, and plum. This wine was very tight and bitter on the palate despite a 30 minute decant. A little tart fruit, and slight pepper. It tasted young. The finish was a little peppery, without much fruit. Not sure if this needed a longer decant, but it was too tight for me. I wouldn't have a problem drinking this at a party, but I'll probably pass on purchasing this again.
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4/20/2009 - John wrote: 81 Points
not as good as the 05 vintage. but for $8 you would be hard pressed to find a better merlot
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4/19/2009 - WagesOfZin wrote: 85 Points
not as intriguing as the previous three vintages. a decent drink for the price still, but a bit disappointed following the '03-'05 run
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3/18/2009 - jjlobi wrote: 85 Points
OK for every day drinking. Nothing profund, but not offensive either. Price makes this one an OK choice.
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2/23/2009 - Phoenix14 wrote: 80 Points
Was not really impressed with this at all. Some fruit, lots of wood chips oaking. Would not serve this at a party.
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1/31/2009 - Rick B wrote: 89 Points
Popped and poured. Dark fruits, licorice, and mild oak on the nose. Fruit forward, jammy, and medium body on the palate with a touch of oak. Surprisingly moderate finish. My wife and I very much enjoyed this wine! It is a screaming QPR value! I can't believe it is a mass produced wine - for under $10 to boot! Will definitely purchase again.
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11/29/2008 - bajayngo wrote: 85 Points
This is one of those catch 22 bottles of wine for me. I always have higher expections 4 the wine because WS consistently gives it 90pts. But @ the end of the day its a good wine 4 10bucks......but no way a 90pt wine 4 my palate.
Really distinctive blueberries, some tart fruits, a lil smokey, gets thin on the palate but the finish is good.
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