Not a lot of merlot gets drunk in stately Fred manor. And this isn’t because of some lemming-like response to the movie Sideways either. It’s just that most merlot, priced at the everyday drinking point, is just plain boring and uninteresting. That’s why in keeping with one of the goals of the blog to bring you good wines that are widely available in our area, I’m excited to mention Columbia Crest 2004 Merlot Grand Estates. Now Columbia Crest is generally a good solid value label from Washington State and they can be reliably counted on to provide decent wines. However every so often they hit one out of the park. This wine is just such an example and highlights how terrific merlot can be.
I found it to be outstanding- Incredibly smooth – like a silken negligee on a woman’s skin! Fairly complex and very well balanced. Bright flavors of blackcurrant, black cherry and cassis. Bit of oak/smoke on the end. Medium bodied with nice finish. When you factor in the price it’s got an excellent QPR! 90 Points.
Be aware that CC has two designations: Grand Estates and Two Vines so read the fine print. This wine should be easy to find in our area and around $10 a bottle. I got mine at Ye Old Spirit Shoppe.
Fred
UPDATE: After I tasted and reviewed this wine I found out that it made #71 on Wine Spectator’s top 100 wines of 2007. Go get some!
I wonder if this could be ordered somewhere… would you happen to have the bar code numbers available so I can start searching?
Thanks
Thanks for the comments- I fished the bottle out of the recycling bin. The UPC code is 088586402845. Hope this helps,
Fred
very interesting, but I don’t agree with you
Idetrorce
Idetorce: thanks for the feedback. That’s one of the things I like so much about wine: how individual and subjective it is. Do you think its better or worse than I said?