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By Chuck Hill

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Wines of the Week
Published October 31, 2007

More Merlot Magic
Part two of a Series by Chuck Hill
See part one

With the first winter rainstorms and even frost on the pumpkin in the morning, we are hard into red wine drinkin' season. Here is another group of Merlots for your fall dining table featuring various locations, vintages and prices.

Alexandria Nicole Cellars
2004 Merlot
Destiny Ridge Vineyard
Horse Heaven Hills
$24.00

A powerful Merlot from the winery's estate vineyard, this wine offers aromas of blackberry, cherry and spice leading to rich, complex flavors of black cherry, cocoa, cola and spicy oak. A great choice for aging a few years or serve with your finest roast beef.

Camas Prairie Winery
2004 Merlot Champoux Vineyard
$14.00

This Merlot hails from Champoux Vineyard and offers the attendant qualities of ripe cassis-blueberry fruit on the nose and complex berry nuances on the palate. The vineyard heritage is complemented by the winemaker's touch: spicy oak character, velvety tannins and ample acidity for aging or pairing with your favorite roast or steak.

Snoqualmie Vineyards
2005 Merlot
Columbia Valley
$10.00

Winemaker Joy Andersen crafted this value-priced Merlot at the Snoqualmie Vineyards winery in Prosser (stop by for a visit!). Aromas of rich black cherry, vanilla and light notes of oak and earth lead to a medium-bodied palate with ripe black fruits and notes of spice and plum. Keep some on hand for the holidays.

 

Barnard Griffin
2005 Merlot
Columbia Valley
$17.00

Barnard Griffin Winery on the south side of Richland makes superb wines under the direction of owner/winemaker emeritus Rob Griffin. Always known for good values, his 2005 Merlot is no exception, offering ripe cherry aromas with hints of spice and toasty oak, and a juicy palate of blackberry and blueberry with ample tannins to pair with your favorite hearty pasta or meat dish. The Barnard Griffin tasting room is a great visit when you're near the Tri-Cities.

DiStefano
2003 Domenica Red Table Wine
Columbia Valley
$25.00

Winemaker Hillary Sjolund and owner Mark Newton blended this mostly Merlot red table wine with an ample portion of Cabernet Sauvignon to take it up a notch past pedestrian Merlots. The nose is one to linger over with hints of tobacco, leather, black cherry and chocolate. Look for impeccable structure on the palate, featuring smoky flavors of berries, spice and cocoa. A winner for any holiday meal pairing.

Kiona Vineyards Winery
2003 Merlot
Columbia Valley
$20.00

First off, stop by for a visit to Kiona's new winery and visitor center overlooking the vineyards on Red Mountain... quite a showplace. Scott Williams has always had a talent for crafting fine Merlot, and this one offers ripe cherry, plum and baking spice on the nose with flavors echoing the aromas. Soft tannins invite near-term consumption.

Ash Hollow
2004 Merlot
Columbia Valley
$26.00

Walla Walla's Ash Hollow winery counts four generations of the Turner family farming in Walla Walla and Columbia Counties going back to 1870. The modern boutique winery offers their 2004 Merlot (2005 to be released soon) featuring bright aromas of Bing cherry and plum with floral notes and hints of oak. Generous flavors on the palate and ample silky tannins make this a serious candidate for your Thanksgiving table.

Bridgeview Vineyards
2003 Merlot
Southern Oregon
$10.00

This winery is located in some of the most beautiful country in the Pacific Northwest. If you get a chance, travel down to Cave Junction for a visit, or stop by their new tasting room in the Applegate Valley.  Not a heavy wine, look for aromas of cherry, tobacco and chocolate mingling with light notes of oak.  At the bargain price charged for Bridgeview Merlot, it could become your go-to red wine for those times when unexpected company stops by.
 

Grand Tasting... Southern Oregon Wines
In Portland's Pearl!!
Sunday, November 11, 4:00 to 7:00 pm
 

Kestrel Vintners
2004 Merlot
Yakima Valley
$22.00

Sourced from mature vines at their estate vineyard and nearby, Kestrel's Merlot shows bright aromas of raspberry, cherry, cranberry and spicy oak. Firm on the palate with ample flavor and tannins to pair nicely with roast beef or spicy sauces.

Arbor Crest Wine Cellars
2004 Merlot
Columbia Valley
$15.00

Can an aroma be chewy?  Look for chewy aromas and flavors of black cherry, cocoa, toasty oak and cinnamon spice. Elegant structure shows the wine to be a candidate for further aging, even though the value price invites near-term consumption.

Forgeron Cellars
2003 Merlot
Columbia Valley
$27.00

Winemaker Marie-Eve Gilla blended lots from some of Washington's finest vineyards (Klipsun, Boushey, Alder Ridge and Clifton) to create this juicy and seductive Merlot. Look for aromas of ripe cherries, cocoa and toasty oak. The palate is a berry wonderland of boysen, black and rasp varieties . . . framed with rich oak flavors and sturdy tannins. A knife-and-fork Merlot.

Walla Walla Vintners
2005 Merlot
Walla Walla Valley
$28.00

Now one of Walla Walla's venerable institutions - a dozen years and counting,  Walla Walla Vintners, has always produced a Merlot to be taken seriously. Utilizing fruit from local vineyards, the wine is crafted to show ripe black fruits, blueberry, toasty oak and an inimitable character of cedar and chocolate that makes it a pleasure to sip or serve with hearty fare.

Terra Blanca
2002 Merlot
Estate Vineyard, Red Mountain
$20.00

Owner/winemaker Keith Pilgrim has constructed a showplace winery and visitor center on the lower western slopes of Red Mountain. Huge spaces invite banquets and weddings, and stone fireplaces keep the winter chill away.  A wide selection of fine wines is produced at Terra Blanca including this rich Merlot featuring cherry and plum dancing with aromas and flavors of toasty oak. Bottle age has created some very nice nuances for the taster on both nose and palate.

Nota Bene Cellars
2004 Abbinare
Columbia Valley
$27.00

This is a Merlot-heavy blend featuring a rainbow of other Bordeaux varietals that link together nicely to create an elegant red wine. (Abbinare is Italian for "link together.") Look for aromas of dark cherry, smoky plum mingled with floral and spicy notes that suggest the character of the various Bordeaux varietals in the blend.  A very elegant wine on the nose and palate that deserves some contemplation away from the hubbub of too many guests.  Save this one to enjoy with an intimate dinner for two.

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