Milbrandt Vineyards 2014 Traditions Merlot, Columbia Valley, $17
The breadbasket that is the Wahluke Slope creates the platform for this rather stylish Merlot from Milbrandt, which gets some flesh from Syrah (18%) and added bones from Petit Verdot (5%). There’s toastiness to the aromas, joined by milk chocolate, raspberry and chokecherry. Its flavors are smooth with a long stream of plum, cherries and chocolate, a scrape of vanilla bean and finished by espresso ground tannins. Crack the cap and enjoy some paired with Poached Pear in Reduction Sauce, part of Butch Milbrandt’s cooking demonstration video series.
Rating: Outstanding!
Production: 9,188 cases
Alcohol: 13.5%
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