Mercer Estates 2011 Merlot, Columbia Valley, $20
The Horse Heaven Hills and Red Mountain have a well-earned reputation for “King Cab,” but a number of growers believe the Wahluke Slope is the sweet spot for Merlot, and that’s where most of this bottling from a cool vintage hails from. An extended barrel program of 28 months leads to an opulent nose of black cherry, ripe blueberry and coffee, backed by chocolate, vanilla, tobacco and chalkboard dust. Blackberry, blueberry and boysenberry flavors dominate while tannins provide the firmness of a good handshake.
Rating: Outstanding!
Production: 254 cases
Alcohol: 14.5%
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