Ripe and generous, with a bit of a tannic grip around the plush currant and cherry flavors, lingering against hints of white pepper and black olive. Drink now through 2014.



Tasting Notes:

An elegant wine that opens with bold aromas of raspberry, mint, maple, chocolate, clove, coconut and licorice, it’s medium-bodied, dense and muscular with a bold, rich, smoky coffee-mocha finish.



Merlot Vintage:

The 2004 growing season got off to a warm start followed by a cooler period during bloom. The hot, dry summer months created uniform berry maturation with intense flavors, good sugar development and high natural acidity. Warm temperatures during the last days of summer produced excellent ripening conditions. Cooler temperatures and intermittent light rain in mid-September slowed ripening and extended hang time. 2004 followed a freeze year resulting in a lighter crop throughout the region.



Vineyards:

Diversity of vineyards and sub-appellations within the Columbia Valley are Northstar’s hallmarks. Fruit is selected from the very best possible sources throughout the Columbia Valley. The Northstar team works closely with each grower to achieve specific fruit quality and yield parameters. Vines are an average of 15 years old and yield grapes with concentrated varietal flavors of cherry and plum with elegant tannins. Fruit from over 8 separate vineyards and 10 different blocks contributed to the blend.



Winemaking:

At harvest, grapes were held separately, destemmed and crushed with 25% whole berries remaining. Grapes were fermented on the skins for five days with daily punch downs to extract flavor, colors and fine tannins. The wine was placed into 70 % French and 30% American oak barrels, where it underwent malolactic fermentation. The barrel rotation included 70% new barrels. The lots aged separately for 18 months with barrel-to-barrel racking occurring at three month intervals.



Technical data:

Alcohol 14.5%

Blend 76% Merlot, 14% Cabernet Sauvignon, 10% Petit Verdot

We recently had a mini tasting of some new wines and this Merlot from Trecini was quite the buzz amongst the panel. ...

Good plum, herb and vanilla notes run through this focused, medium-weight Merlot. Drink now. 300,000 cases made.

This bright ruby red colored wine opens with a plum like bouquet with hints of campfire. ...

Lean and crisp, almost delicate in its subtle, supple structure, with raspberry, blackberry, coffee and sage aromas and flavors that linger extensively and expressively on the fine-grained finish. Drink now through 2013. 2,723 cases made.

Color: dark garnet/purple with violet edges



Nose: Good earthy and herbal notes mixed with red and blue fruit



Palate: Very full with that chalky Carmel mouthfeel, almost seems slightly sweet with the rich fruit and vanilla cedar flavors. Quite good for the value, another nice red blend from this house.

From Sutter Home-----A bright, light red color, and sweet cherry and raspberry aromas characterize this wine. Soft, round, juicy cherry and berry flavors form structure and a full, rich texture. Serve chilled as an aperitif, or as an excellent accompaniment to picnic and barbecue fare, seafood, poultry, ham, and spicy ethnic cuisines.

Napa Cellars was a new winery for me. ...

If you like solid and well structured Merlot, I have one for you. ...

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Ruby wine with notes of smoke and dark fruit. Tannic finish, like a merlot.

Rich yet sleek. Red currant, bell pepper and mocha aromas lead to complex, well-balanced loam, blueberry and cedar flavors that linger toward compact, ripe tannins. Drink now through 2013. 4,100 cases made.

Vinification / oaking details:

Fermented on skins until 5 degrees Balling then pressed. Underwent malolactic fermentation and wood maturation with French oak staves for 6 months.



Tasting notes:

This Shiraz / Merlot (80% / 20 %) blend is generous and complex with aromas of black cherries and plums. Rich and dense, the complexity of the flavors plays out progressively, beginning with blackberry and plum and finishing with toasty cedar aromas. Tannins are ripe, juicy and delicate. Enjoy with roasted chicken, blackened salmon, or semi-soft and herbed cheeses.



Storage:

Store horizontally in a cool place. Ready to enjoy now, but could be kept for 2-3 years from purchase.



Food suggestions:

This wine can be enjoyed with a range of different meat dishes, but is especially suited to bright, modern cooking.



This wine is suitable for vegetarians, but not for vegans.

Light and silky, with pretty currant and savory flavors competing for attention. Drink now. 25,000 cases imported.

56% cab/sauv, 19% sangiovese, 10% merlot, 9% petite syrah, 6% syrah

Another good surprise in Brazilian wines.

Color: Very dark garnet



Nose: Slightly plummy, verrry red cherry fruit, rich



Palate: Plummier with thin black and blue fruit.

Color: Very dark garnet



Nose: Very bright and red, with raspberry and cherry, slightly hot



Palate: Cedar with some spice and earth, then deep dark fruit.

Color: Darker garnet



Nose: Pretty good, with good dark currant, menthol, blackberry and a touch of red fruit with some oak behind it.



Palate: Some interesting earth, but then lots of fruit and some nicer and unexpected tannic build with some decent acidity, as well. Good value for the money!