Airfield Estates
2007 Merlot
Yakima Valley
$22.00
Lots of fruit, lots of oak - a blockbuster of a
Merlot for your heartiest sausages and sauces. Ripe aromas of
black fruits mingle with notes of cedar, vanilla and floral
perfume. The palate is rich with juicy cherry/berry fruit
flavors, cranberry and toasty cedar. The ripeness of the grapes
contributed to a slightly higher than normal alcohol content,
giving the wine additional body and meat-friendliness.
(11/09 CH)
Alexandria
Nicole Cellars
2007 Merlot "Gravity" Estate
Horse Heaven Hills
$24.00
Jarrod Boyle makes some of the tastiest wines
that come out of Washington State. His estate Merlot from
Destiny Ridge Vineyard offers a nose of ripe cherry, plum,
earth, spicy tobacco and cedar. T he palate continues with sweet
cherry, black fruits and notes of spicy oak. Superb with lamb
sausage. (11/09
CH)
Arbor Crest
2006 Merlot
Columbia Valley
$18.00
If you haven't taken a wine trip to Spokane, you
should begin planning now for next spring and place Arbor Crest
Cliff House first on your list of visits. Spectacular views and
elegant grounds lead to intellectual discoveries and wildlife
watching as the marmots scurry among rocky outcroppings. But
don't forget the wine! This rich Merlot offers cherry, vanilla
and floral perfume with rich notes of cedary oak on the palate.
A finish of black cherry and toasty vanilla complete a great
pairing with your sausage of choice. (11/09
CH)
Ash Hollow Winery
2006 Merlot
Walla Walla Valley
$26.00
This was the favorite of the flight with bright
aromas of tangy plum, cherry and cassis and notes of toasty oak
and floral perfume. The mouthfeel is generous, yet structured,
and offers flavors of spicy ripe cherry, vanilla and plum.
Winemaker Tony Lombardo suggests pairing this Merlot with dark
chocolate to enjoy the lingering finish.
(11/09 CH)
Avery Lane
2007 Merlot
Washington State
$8.00
Another bargain Merlot that shows what
Washington can do when it comes to offering a value-priced red
wine. An addition of 14% Cab Franc to this blend gives it a lot
of complexity and flavor mileage in the glass. Blueberry,
cherry and vanilla with notes of herbs and toast.
(11/09 CH)
Boudreaux Cellars
2006 Merlot
Washington
$40.00
When mature wine tasters open a bottle of
Merlot, we expect fruit. We used to get mostly fruit - plum,
cherry, berry, cassis. Rob Newsom gave us fruit - and flowers
and complexity. Rob makes powerful, extracted wines and this
one has many of the characters of fine vintage port. Not so
much alcohol, but the nose-tingling violets, blueberries, black
cherries and light toast, with a palate to match that pairs up
with sausages very nicely. (11/09
CH)
Brian
Carter Cellars
2006 L'Etalon
Columbia Valley
$30.00
Longtime Northwest winemaker Brian Carter made a
decision in the late 1990s to begin creating wines that were
blends of varietals, instead of predominantly one grape
variety. This is the model for most of the European wine
industry and has worked well for almost 2,000 years! L'Etalon
is his Bordeaux-style blend, giving a nod to the right bank of
the Gironde for its Merlot-heavy composition. Look for aromas
and flavors of smoky cassis and dark cherry with notes of cocoa,
spice and cedar. Benefits from some breathing time and pairs
well with sausages of many kinds. (11/09
CH)
Cathedral
Ridge Winery
2007 Merlot
Columbia Valley
$26.00
Award-winning winemaker Michael Sebastiani
crafted this tasty Merlot that exemplifies the expression "less
is more." Juicy aromas of black cherry, cedar and herbs lead to
a palate of ripe cherry, spicy oak, coffee and cocoa. A very
nice accompaniment to our sausage challenge with moderate oak
and alcohol. (11/09
CH)
Chateau
Ste. Michelle
2005 Merlot
Columbia Valley
$16.00
Winemaker Bob Bertheau added 14% Syrah and 3%
Cabernet Sauvignon to the blend of this approachable, yet
complex Merlot. Aromas black cherry, spicy herbs, floral
perfume and mint lead to a rich palate that cries out for
sausage from the grill. Mellow cherry and plum flavors, and a
cedar and vanilla finish are just right with English bangers.
(11/09 CH)
College Cellars
2006 Merlot Dwelley Vineyard
Walla Walla Valley
$18.00
College Cellars is a teaching winery located at
the center for enology and viticulture on the campus of Walla
Walla Community College. Many of tomorrow's Northwest
winemakers are learning their craft at this fine facility. Look
for raspberry, dark fruits, herbs, anise and cedar on the nose
of this Merlot. The palate is spicy with cherry flavors and
notes of tangy berry. Ample tannins embrace the medium-bodied
mouthfeel to invite a bite of sausage.
(11/09 CH)
DiStefano Winery
2005 Domenica
Columbia Valley
$28.00
This wine is the Merlot-focused blend crafted by
winemaker Hillary Sjolund at DiStefano. Complex aromas of black
cherry, mocha, herbs and earth entice a sip where the taster
enjoys a medium-bodied palate brimming with ripe cherry,
vanilla, caramel and toasty cedar. Celebrate harvest with
sausages and Domenica! (11/09
CH)
Duck Pond
Cellars
2005 Merlot
Wahluke Slope
$12.00
This tasty Merlot shows a good balance between
fruitiness, oak nuances and complexity from bottle age. The
Wahluke Slope origin is starting to become well known for Merlot
from many producers. Look for smoky plum and blackberry aromas
leading to a rich berry/cherry palate with a finish of smoky
vanilla and dark chocolate. Very enjoyable with chicken gourmet
sausages. (11/09
CH)
Dumas Station
2005 Merlot
Walla Walla Valley
$26.00
Jay Dewitt and Doug Harvey opened Dumas Station
winery in 2003 to focus on Bordeaux-style varietals grown in the
Walla Walla area. The winery is located in a former
apple-packing shed along the rail line near Dayton. Cherry,
cedar and berry aromas greet your nose with hints of cherry
candy and floral perfume; the palate is firm with ripe cherry,
cocoa, tobacco and vanilla flavors. Needs a little breathing,
then is a great complement to the sausages.
(11/09 CH)
Fidelitas
2006 Merlot
Columbia Valley
$25.00
Twenty years ago, Charlie Hoppes left his career
in Seattle as a flight test engineer to pursue his love of wine
and winemaking. Today he is one of the most respected
winemakers in the Columbia Valley, crafting wines of power and
finesse. The 2006 Fidelitas Merlot explores the earthy, herby,
smoky side of Merlot, showing the deft use of oak to elevate the
varietal qualities. Spicy, ripe cherry flavors with notes of
mocha and coffee pair well with our target meat course.
(11/09 CH)
Goose Ridge
2006 Merlot
Goose Ridge Estate Vineyard
Columbia Valley
$27.00
The Goose Ridge Estate Vineyard and Winery are
owned and operated by the Monson family on a site just south
(across the I-82 Highway) from Red Mountain. It is an
exceptional growing site, and the winemaking is handled by
talented Washington veteran, Charlie Hoppes. This rich Merlot
opens with aromas of plum, cedar, herbs and berries with nuances
of floral perfume and anise. Ripe flavors of black cherry and
plum are wrapped in notes of rich spicy oak, finishing with
berry and vanilla. Great with complex sausages.
(11/09 CH)
Genesis by Hogue
2006 Merlot
Columbia Valley
$19.00
Winemaker Co Dinn crafts the Genesis line for
The Hogue Cellars winery in Prosser. Look for ripe merlot
aromas of blueberry, cherry, floral notes and toasty oak in this
attractively-priced wine. A lean palate offers flavors of berry,
cherry, vanilla and smoky, spicy oak and pairs well with
sausages from the grill. (11/09
CH)
Hightower Cellars
2006 Merlot
Columbia Valley
$28.00
Tim and Kelly Hightower craft superb wines at
their Red Mountain winery. Their 2006 Merlot is sourced from
27% Red Mountain fruit and 73% from vineyards in the Horse
Heaven Hills to the southwest. After a little breathing time,
the wine opens up with rich layers of plum, cherry and berry
aromas wrapped in notes of earth, vanilla and mocha. The
succulent fruity palate is balanced with velvety tannins that
leave one wanting another sip. A great food wine at a good
price. (11/09
CH)
Kestrel Vintners
2005 Merlot
Estate Old Vines
$50.00
This ripe and flavorful wine comes from Kestrel
View Estate Vineyard where the Merlot vines were planted in
1972. The nose evolves as the wine breathes to reveal black
cherry, plum, baking spice, earth, cedar and herbs. The flavors
mingle on the medium-bodied palate, which has ample acidity for
accompanying grilled sausages; a superb, complex wine that one
can linger over to enjoy the nuances that come from old-vine
grapes and a little extra bottle age.
(11/09 CH)
L'Ecole No
41
2006 Merlot
Seven Hills Estate Vineyard
$36.00
Marty Clubb at L'Ecole No 41
continues the tradition of superb Merlots at this pioneering
Walla Walla winery. Fruit is sourced from the Seven Hills
Estate Vineyard near the Oregon border. This wine offers the
refined side of Merlot, featuring complex aromas of cherry
candy, spicy floral perfume, cocoa and cedary herbal notes. The
palate is forward with plum and cherry flavors, finishing with
vanilla and spicy oak.
(11/09 CH)
Leonetti Cellar
2007 Merlot
Walla Walla Valley
$70.00
The wines made by Gary and Chris Figgins are the
most sought-after in Washington State. Much of the attraction
for sophisticated wine lovers is the impeccable balance and
structure from great fruit, winemaking experience and judicious
use of oak aging. At this young age, Leonetti Merlot benefits
from decanting for breathing purposes and offers elegant cherry
and blackberry aromas with complex toasty, herbal and floral
aromas. The palate is tight with flavors of ripe cherry and
cassis embraced by toasty oak and ample tannins. If you can get
some, give it three or more years age in your cellar.
(11/09 CH)
Northstar
2006 Merlot
Columbia Valley
$41.00
The Northstar Columbia Valley bottling (a Walla
Walla Valley bottling is also produced) explores the aromatic
side of Merlot. Look for a nose of baking spice, floral
perfume, anise and spicy oak, all concealing layers of black
cherry and berry fruits that need to breath for acknowledgment.
The palate of tangy herbs, spice and plum/cherry fruit also
benefits from aeration. 65% new oak (11/09
CH)
Northwest Wine Academy
2006 Merlot Pontin Vineyard
Yakima Valley
$15.00
Located on the campus of South Seattle Community
College, NW wine academy offers curricula in wine making, wine
marketing and food and wine pairing. Talented teaching staff
abound including my old pal Peter Bos, winemaker and
instructor. Aromas and flavors of red fruits include cranberry
and cherry with notes of toasty cedar, vanilla and an intriguing
blueberry finish. (11/09
CH)
Olsen Estates
2007 Merlot
Yakima Valley
$33.00
The Olsen family are the proprietors of dozens
of vineyards spread out between Prosser and Benton City in the
Yakima Valley. This gives them a great advantage in selecting
sites for specific varieties, and then blending those varieties
to craft the perfect wine. The Merlot for this wine came from
two vineyard sites - one warmer and one cooler. The firm
backbone of structure and tannin, flavors of cherry and mineral
come from the warmer site, while more delicate floral and red
fruit flavors come from the cooler site. Great with sausages
from the grill. (11/09
CH)
Pedestal
2006 Merlot
Columbia Valley
$52.00
Pedestal by French winemaker Michel Rolland is
one of the wines produced by Allen Shoup's Long Shadows
project. The wine is a blend of diverse Columbia Valley
vineyard sites adding complexity and character, with ample new
French oak adding spice and structure. Just a modicum of
breathing time shows ripe aromas of berry and dark cherry with
cocoa and spicy oak. The palate is rich and supple with
blueberry, cherry, tobacco and vanilla flavors.
(11/09 CH)
Pepper Bridge
2006 Merlot
Walla Walla Valley
$50.00
This luscious Merlot is a blend of grapes from
the winery's two estate vineyards, Pepper Bridge and Seven Hills
(both located south of Walla Walla), both producing some of
Washington's most sought-after fruit. The wine benefits from
some breathing to reveal black cherry, plum and bacon aromas
wrapped in layers of spice and oak. The palate is rich with
black fruits, tobacco and mocha flavors with a smoky vanilla
finish. Give your sausages a little grill time to take
advantage of the smoky goodness.
(11/09 CH)
The Jack - Saviah Cellars
2007 Merlot blend
Columbia Valley
$18.00
This wine has been the best value in Washington
Merlot for several years. Winemaker Richard Funk came from a
science background to start Saviah Cellars and immediately
showed an innate ability to assemble classy cuvees from many
varietals. The Jack (2007 edition) is 86% Merlot with some
other Bordeaux varietals and a little Syrah making up the
balance of the blend. The nose bursts with black cherry, plum,
pepper, vanilla and a hint of spicy oak. The palate is juicy
with raspberry and cherry and hints of mocha pairing beautifully
with sausages and many other rich dishes.
(11/09 CH)
Sineann
2007 Merlot
Champoux Vineyard
Horse Heaven Hills
$36.00
This is by far the best of Peter Rosback's 2007
Merlots, offering aromas of toasty cranberry, vanilla, herbs and
floral perfume. The palate explodes with ripe cherry,
blackberry and mint, complemented by notes of caramel, vanilla
and herbs. Chewy and delicious with sausages of any stripe.
(11/09 CH)
Stephenson Cellars
2006 Merlot
Washington State
$28.00
Dave Stephenson worked at Waterbrook Winery
prior to opening his own venture in 2001, studying winemaking
texts from UC Davis at night to prepare for the leap to
independence. Dave's 2006 Merlot placed well in our tasting,
showing toasty/smoky cherry, red currant and baking spice. The
palate offers ripe cherry flavors, spicy cedar and vanilla.
Power lurks in your glass to challenge sausages on your tongue.
(11/09 CH)
Three
Rivers Winery
2006 Merlot
Champoux Vineyard
$39.00
Champoux Vineyard is located toward the eastern
end of the Horse Heaven Hills AVA and includes some of the
oldest Cabernet Sauvignon vines in the state - planted in 1972.
Merlot has been grown here for decades and offers complexity and
power to resulting wines. Aromas of earth, herbs and cherries
are joined by nuances of cocoa and coffee. The palate is rich
with black fruit flavors and spicy oak with a hint of "peach
pit" character that has been a hallmark of wines from this
unique vineyard. (11/09
CH)
Tsillan Cellars
2005 Merlot
Columbia Valley
$28.00
The beauty of the Tsillan Cellars Estate on Lake
Chelan is breathtaking and makes the property a crowning jewel
of the area's wine scene. This smoky, toasty Merlot shows
aromas of black cherry, toffee, plums and cocoa. The palate is
rich and chewy with dark plum and cherry flavors mingling with
toasty cedar and dark chocolate. Grill up your sausages for a
smoky complement to this delicious wine.
(11/09 CH)
Volcano Vineyards
2006 Merlot Fortmiller Vineyard
Rogue Valley
$24.00
Liz and Scott Ratcliff came north from San
Francisco in 2001 and settled in Bend, Oregon. They work with
growers in the Rogue Valley to produce some very distinctive
wines at a crush facility nearby, then move the wines to their
tasting room and sales facility in Bend; this "micro winery"
program has worked well for them! The 2006 Merlot offers aromas
of dried cherry, spice cookies, plum, earth and vanilla. The
palate is ultra-ripe with plum and dark fruits dancing with
notes of spicy oak and vanilla. Great with Andouille sausage!
(11/09 CH)
Velvet Devil
2007 Merlot
Columbia Valley
Charles Smith Wines
$12.00
This somewhat controversial wine was presented
in a cast of characters sporting much higher price tags. "Velvet
Devil" is a good name for this wickedly fruity and sexy wine
(okay, the sexy part comes with name and label). Winemaker
Charles Smith is unabashed about everything he does, and his
latest "wine for the masses" efforts have scored with regular
consumers and wine geeks alike. Red plums, smoky cherry,
vanilla-times-three, smiling sausage lovers.
(11/09 CH)
Walla Walla Vintners
2007 Merlot
Walla Walla Valley
$28.00
Winemakers Gordy Venneri and Myles Anderson have
been quietly perfecting their delicious wines at their winery on
Mill Creek Road in eastern Walla Walla. This Merlot benefited
from the addition of a dollop of Cabernet Franc which we have
found makes for a tasty blending partner. Look for aromas of
toast and tea and herbs weaving among black cherry and vanilla.
The palate is rich with complex earth, herb and cherry flavors
and a lengthy vanilla finish. (11/09
CH)
Woodward
Canyon
2006 Merlot
Columbia Valley
$39.00
The winemaking team at Woodward Canyon also
selected blending lots from multiple AVAs to craft this powerful
and rich Merlot. Wines from Wahluke, Columbia Valley, Walla
Walla and Yakima Valley regions contribute ripe cherry, spicy
oak, coffee and cocoa notes in the aroma, while the palate is
firm with cherry and toasty flavors. Decant for aeration before
serving and consider 4+ years of further bottle aging.
(11/09 CH)
