Arbor Crest Wine Cellars 2011 Four Vineyards Merlot, Columbia Valley, $18
This Spokane Valley showpiece was one of Washington state’s first second-generation wineries, and winemaker Kristina Mielke-van Löben Sels used this quartet of four historic sites — Bacchus, Conner Lee, Dionysus and Klipsun — to make a Merlot that sings. Tantalizing aromas of cherry and plum gather up milk chocolate and black pepper. On the palate, the melody is one of bright flavors hinting at black cherry, boysenberry and cranberry amid a structure of smooth tannins and pomegranate acidity. Suggested pairings include pepper steak. This wine received a gold medal at the 2014 Seattle Wine and Food Experience Wine Competition.
Rating: Outstanding!
Production: 2,000 cases
Alcohol: 13.8%
Lots of love for Merlot. Several of your recently are new to me. I am looking forward to trying them. Several of my favs, in addition to Kyra’s Estate Merlot, wonder if you had the opportunity to try them…are: Dunham Cellars, Januik, Kontos, LongShadow’s “Pedestal”, Pepperbridge, Reininger, Seven Hills, Sineann, and of course, Leonetti Cellar, L’Ecole!?!
Hi, Bill. We do taste a lot of these wines. However, this group included Merlots we’ve tasted in the past few weeks.
To Whom It May Concern:
I really enjoy your website and this story and review in particular as I enjoy well made Washington Merlot. I’m blown away by the quality and value of the Columbia Winery 2012 Merlot. This is a juicy, plummy wine that gets better after being open for at least three days. I hope other wineries take note as this a great example of Merlot, especially at this price point. I can’t wait to see the evolution of Sean Hails (Columbia Winery Winemaker)wines over these next few years. A very promising future for this winery indeed!
Best,
Jeff Curry
Gig Harbor, WA
Thanks, Jeff. We appreciate the great feedback.
We’ve now tasted the Columbia wines three or four times, mostly under blind tasting conditions, and they are delicious. Add in the price point, and I think Gallo has a winner here.