Weather Station Wines 2016 Connor Lee Vineyard Merlot, Columbia Valley, $22

This summer, Kristina Mielke-van Löben Sels of Spokane’s picturesque Arbor Crest Wine Cellars unveiled her family’s new Weather Station brand, a 3,000-case project that’s allowed her to deepen her lengthy relationship with venerable Conner Lee Vineyard in the Columbia Basin. This debut Merlot offers pleasing aromas of black cherry, milk chocolate, vanilla and toast, a theme that extends to the palate. It’s big yet balanced as age-worthy tannins allow for a delicious finish reminiscent of a Mounds Bar with a Brown & Haley Cherry Mountain Bar chaser. This spring, this Merlot earned a double gold at the Seattle Wine Awards, and the van Löben Sels have targeted restaurants and retailers in Texas and the Evergreen State. Denizens of the Inland Northwest can find Weather Station wines at Rocket Market on the South Hill, Yoke’s Fresh Market and Vino! and restaurants such as Max at Mirabeau, Spencer’s and Wild Sage.

Rating: Outstanding!

Production: 500 cases

Alcohol: 14.2%

Winery website

Subscribe to our Wine of the Week newsletter

One Comment

1. 

   Jenifer Zihlman

   July 23, 2019 at 8:04 pm

   Thanks for getting the word out. We have tasted it down here in Texas and it is EXCELLENT

   Reply