In 2020, winemaker Justin Michaud turned owner/grower Mike Andrew's 2017 Merlot grapes into a Double Platinum, his first with the variety, so this showing for the bottling from 2018 displays consistency. There's enticing brightness in the nose with pie cherry, candied blueberry and pinches of nutmeg, cardamon and cedar. Tasty notes of blackberry and blueberry are quite … [Read more...] about Coyote Canyon Winery 2018 Coyote Canyon Vineyard Merlot, Horse Heaven Hills $33.00
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The Miscreant Project 2018 The Right Bastard, Columbia Valley $19.00
Best Buy! TruthTeller Winery’s Chris and Dawn Loeliger recently launched this quirky, nicely priced tier, and credited their assistant winemaker Keith Whisenhunt with the winning blend of Merlot (80%) and Cabernet Sauvignon that emerged as one of the tasting’s highest scoring wines and a unanimous choice for a gold medal. It was no surprise considering its pedigree — Stillwater … [Read more...] about The Miscreant Project 2018 The Right Bastard, Columbia Valley $19.00
Mellisoni Vineyards 2018 Stillwater Creek Vineyard Barrel Select Reserve Merlot, Royal Slope $150.00
The 2021 Washington Winery of the Year opened 2022 by producing one of the top Merlots in this tasting. Rob and Donna Mellison doted on these eight barrels of juice courtesy of Napa-trained viticulturist Ed Kelly. The hedonistic presentation of dark red fruit comes with elegant tannins and sensational acidity. “They really dialed in on the balance,” remarked one judge. And … [Read more...] about Mellisoni Vineyards 2018 Stillwater Creek Vineyard Barrel Select Reserve Merlot, Royal Slope $150.00
Welcome Road Winery 2019 Merlot, Rattlesnake Hills $30.00
Leigh McMillan is in her second decade as a Washington winemaker, and she’s recently invested more deeply in her relationship with Yakima Valley vineyards managed by Patrick Rawn. Black cherry cola, vanilla bean and a light amount of toast lead the descriptors of this dark drink that’s backed by a harmonious interplay of silky tannins and boysenberry acidity. Our judges believe … [Read more...] about Welcome Road Winery 2019 Merlot, Rattlesnake Hills $30.00
Neher Family Wines 2019 Principal Red, Columbia Valley $32.00
Two of the Walla Walla Valley’s most respected winemakers — Roger Cockerline of Bunchgrass fame and Walla Walla Vintners co-founder Gordy Venneri — work in tandem on this ultra-boutique label for the Neher family. Labeled as a tribute to the late Richard Neher, a longtime high school principal, the proprietary name would indicate that this is a red blend. However, in this … [Read more...] about Neher Family Wines 2019 Principal Red, Columbia Valley $32.00