Greg and Debbie Schultz farm Merlot organically at their Glory Oaks Vineyard in Southern Oregon, but here they spotlight the versatility of Steelhead Run Vineyard — a dry-farmed site renowned for Rhône varieties — and the winemaking of Medford’s Linda Donovan at Pallet Wine Co. It’s dark, lovely and coming into its own, loaded with blackberry, smoky plum, dried fig and violets. … [Read more...] about Schultz Wines 2017 Steelhead Run Vineyard Blessed Merlot, Applegate Valley $32.00
merlot
Auclair Winery 2018 Right Blend Red Wine, Red Mountain $40.00
Charles Auclair’s continued fascination with Red Mountain for Bordeaux varieties — red and white — pays off again as usual, however the Woodinville winemaker’s blend barely qualified for this comparative tasting with Merlot accounting for 75% of the bottling. His three best barrels of Merlot from Heart of The Hill Vineyard were joined by a barrel of Cabernet Franc from Artz … [Read more...] about Auclair Winery 2018 Right Blend Red Wine, Red Mountain $40.00
Westport Winery Garden Resort 2019 Mermaid Merlot, Rattlesnake Hills $31.00
Great Northwest Wine made its decision to name Westport as the 2022 Washington Winery of the Year two months prior to this comparative tasting, and winemaker Mark Bosso helped us look smart by crafting one of the top-scoring examples of Merlot. It’s also one of the most youthful. In recent years, the Roberts family has deepened its relationship with grower Joe Hattrup, and … [Read more...] about Westport Winery Garden Resort 2019 Mermaid Merlot, Rattlesnake Hills $31.00
Be Human 2019 Merlot, Columbia Valley $17.00
Best Buy! One of the least expensive examples of Merlot also ranked near the top, thanks to Ivy League-trained winemaker Joshua Maloney and the Aquilini family’s vast plantings across Red Mountain and the Horse Heaven Hills. The Cornell graduate’s use of American oak, 33% new wood, adds vanilla, chocolate and baking spice to the profile of blackberry, plum and violets, which … [Read more...] about Be Human 2019 Merlot, Columbia Valley $17.00
Cougar Crest Estate Winery 2017 Estate Merlot, Walla Walla Valley $34.00
David and Deborah Hansen, who met as students at Washington State University, grow Merlot at two of their three estate vineyards. But here, Debbie, the winemaker, focuses on fruit from Cougar Hills near historic Seven Hills Vineyard — home to the Walla Walla Valley’s first commercial planting of Merlot. Blackberry and a thin trail of smoke give way to a big pop of cherry fruit. … [Read more...] about Cougar Crest Estate Winery 2017 Estate Merlot, Walla Walla Valley $34.00