Canoe Ridge Vineyard 2013 The Expedition Merlot, Horse Heaven Hills, $15
Best Buy! Napa-trained Bill Murray continues his tradition of releasing affordable and approachable wines made under this historic Walla Walla label. Two estate sites in the Horse Heaven Hills — Canoe Ridge Vineyard and recently acquired The Benches — help make for a wine that’s filled with sweet aromas of baked cherry, toffee and chocolaty treats such as Milk Duds and Whoppers. There’s also a sweet, hedonistic angle — thanks in part to the influence of Syrah (9%) — to the drink that’s focused on red cherry, plum and cocoa powder. It’s not an overly complex wine, but it’s quaffable and has a broad appeal.
Rating: Recommended
Production: 10,000 cases
Alcohol: 13.8%
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