Origin: Columbia Valley, Washington State
Grape: 85% Merlot, 8% Syrah, 5% Malbec, 2% other Red
Body: Full
Year: 2014
Alcohol: 13.7%
Price point: $10
Year Reviewed: 2018
Merlot doesn’t get enough interest, ever since a silly movie actor who said they didn’t like Merlot in the movie Sideways. But honestly, this movie was quite destructive to the Merlot business on a whole. You may think that is quite odd, but the sales of Merlot plummeted. Fortunately, I do have my feelings, since wine is trendy, that Merlot will have a comeback in the near future. I personally love well blended Merlots from several regions, Columbia Valley AVA, being one of them. This wine is from the Columbia Winery, who I had the honor to visit in Woodinville, Washington.
In the glass, this clean dark purple colored wine smells of plum and other red fruit. The juiciness and richness of the Merlot grape was evident, but I could pick up the Syrah flavorings of the spiciness. Lots of black cherry and plum, sprinkled with clove, and a mocha caramel spattering…maybe a chocolate turtle. This wine finishes lovely but with a medium finish. Medium finish. No doubt, I will be purchasing this again due to the quality and the price at the Sav-Way in St. Charles, IL.