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| Drinking Windows and Values |
| Community Tasting History |
| Community Tasting Notes (average 89.7 pts. and median of 90 pts. in 63 notes) - hiding notes with no text | | | Tasted by KaupCava on 4/12/2020 & rated 91 points: Deep garnet. Florals and anise on the nose. Dark fruits, blackberry, blueberry and plum. Light vanilla. Well balanced and lingering finish. Wish I had more! (976 views) | | | Tasted by GA_Seattle on 5/6/2018: This wine is done, drinkable but only faint fruit remains, thin watery mouthfeel and no acidity. (1402 views) | | | Tasted by JMFWC on 12/3/2017 & rated 90 points: Popped and left on the counter for 2 hours. Drinking really nicely now with older right bank characteristics. Excellent with dinner. Will drink the remaining over the next year. (1466 views) | | | Tasted by rmcnees on 10/6/2016 & rated 92 points: Back in 2011 I wrote, "Deep dark purple color - medium-full bodied - may be the most expressive Northstar I have had with full burst of black berry, plum and red currant flavors giving way to sweet oak, spice and subtle vanilla with nicely integrated firm but silky smooth tannins. Lots of fine sediment coats the empty bottle. Consistent notes with earlier tastings."
Such it was again tonight except I would add the floral aromatics perfume, the complexity was enhanced by nice balance and smooth silky tannins, highlighted by tones of anise and hints of mocha, much like a left bank Bordeaux, that was not recorded in earlier tastings. It says a lot about the curve of the drinking window for this wine that seems to be outstanding in its twelfth year.
https://unwindwine.blogspot.com/2016/10/northstar-columbia-valley-merlot-2004.html (2068 views) | | | Tasted by JMFWC on 7/15/2016 & rated 90 points: Nice red fruit with hints of leather on the nose. Decanted for an hour. Palate was subdued with hints of leather. Finish was lasting and plesant. (2193 views) | | | Tasted by sixtoedjack on 5/3/2014 & rated 87 points: Past its prime. Tasty, but was largely ignored in a really nice field. Some fruit, but there wasn't a whole lot past some raspberry and spice. (3257 views) | | | Tasted by LIE-user on 2/22/2014 & rated 90 points: Strange. Did not expect this one to show so many age tones. Mixture of vanilla, port and merlot sweetness.
My cellar is 14 degree celsius 365 days a year. Humidity automatically adjusted. So the age tones are no sign of wrong cellaring. It's simply in the wine.
So what. It's really good. It just won't live that long anymore. (2994 views) | | | Tasted by BillyT on 12/27/2013 & rated 88 points: Ok, so here is my bias. If you like California wine this is proably a decent wine for you. I don't like domestic wine so I must attempt to be fair. Good color, acidity, and candied fruit. For me it is too sweet but form many it is exactly what they want. High alcolol both by volume and on the nose and palate. Almost medicinal fruit and alcohol. Cough syrup is best description. Not my preference. (3257 views) | | | Tasted by G_H on 6/21/2013 & rated 90 points: Solid 90 points wine, but the wine starts to show some age. Vanilla, Nutmeg, creme de cassis with an odd greenish note. Medium bodied yet still with a strong presence. Do really like this wine! (3076 views) | | | Tasted by curtr on 6/6/2013 & rated 90 points: At peak, balanced, very nice with roast chicken. (2811 views) | | | Tasted by fitchbuck on 4/14/2012 & rated 91 points: After the brooding Copain syrah finished a few days prior - this was a bright & cheery cherry upper. (2714 views) | | | Tasted by rben_mvp on 1/28/2012 & rated 91 points: This wine is in a really nice place. It has been well cellared. Very smooth and integrated. Classic Merlot flavors. (2584 views) | | | Tasted by BillyT on 12/19/2011 & rated 90 points: OK, 2 years later. Notes the same except it didn't take as long to open up and there was a good deal more buttered toast, dark chocolate, black fruit and mocha and the nose and palate. A bit hot in the beginning and alcoholic but that blows off. While today this is not my personal style it is a Wonderful wine and very characteristic of a California Merlot. Worthy of your attention but not the best Merlot's out there. My price point at 27.00 makes this a nice wine. I will see what happens by dinner tonight. (2614 views) | | | Tasted by GA_Seattle on 10/17/2011 & rated 92 points: This wine has really improved since the last tasting ~2yrs ago. Age has smoothed out tannins resulting in a silky mouthfeel with rich fruits, aceented by spices and charcoal. Really enjoyable! (2411 views) | | | Tasted by markellen.foodies@gmail.com on 9/21/2011 & rated 90 points: Brown Bag Wine Dinner at Two Chefs; 9/20/2011-9/21/2011 (TWO CHEFS, MIAMI, FL): - Violet color with medium forming legs and aromas of blackberry and violet. It's somewhat balanced and has flavours of blackberry with a full body. Juicy texture with a medium finish - Alvaro's wine. A bit one dimensional to me. (2975 views) | | | Tasted by Porchino on 8/4/2011 & rated 89 points: Much better than frogs leap (2058 views) | | | Tasted by KirkStewart on 5/6/2011 & rated 91 points: Smooth, buttery, nice bottle (2310 views) | | | Tasted by rmcnees on 2/4/2011 & rated 91 points: Deep dark purple color - medium-full bodied - may be the most expressive Northstar I have had with full burst of black berry, plum and red currant flavors giving way to sweet oak, spice and subtle vanilla with nicely integrated firm but silky smooth tannins. Lots of fine sediment coats the empty bottle. Consistent notes with earlier tastings. (2487 views) | | | Tasted by bin905 on 12/4/2010 & rated 90 points: Rich, thick, dark berry, mocha and spice flavors with smooth tannins. (2550 views) | | | Tasted by phantphant on 3/31/2010 & rated 92 points: Tasting as good as ever. The fruit is present and long lasting -- the subtlety of this Merlot shines. Drinking wonderfully. (3430 views) | | | Tasted by tarheel17 on 3/7/2010 & rated 90 points: K&S shared this with us over dominoes. THere was a LOT of sediment in the bottle, just FYI for anyone preparing to drink one in the future.
Good stuff all around, a little smokiness and mocha-like oak flavors. I would definitely drink again. (3852 views) | | | Tasted by borneman on 1/3/2010 & rated 87 points: Popped and poured. Flavors were washed out, initially - very subdued. Decanted and after two hours only marginally more fruit. Not nearly as good as I remembered it when tasted and purchased a couple years ago as a much bigger, more complex wine. Bottle variation? (3390 views) | | | Tasted by skaliner on 12/28/2009 & rated 88 points: I enjoyed this Merlot. It is pretty smooth with light tannins (3361 views) | | | Tasted by ProfessorHTF on 12/22/2009 & rated 88 points: I put aside my normal disdain for this varietal and was glad I did. Not a great wine, but a very good one, and distinctly NON CA IMO, and in contrast to some prior posters. For the alcohol level I found this quite balanced and restrained, with just enough earth, coffee, and herb to counter the fruit...which was just not that overwhelming. Would add this to a growing list of merlots I can deal with, and even enjoy. (3385 views) | | | Tasted by skaliner on 12/20/2009 & rated 88 points: Paul was not in love iwth this Merlot. It was a bit rough around the edges (3445 views) | | | Only displaying the 25 most recent notes - click to see all notes for this wine... |
| Northstar Producer websiteMerlotMerlot is a dark blue–colored wine grape variety, that is used as both a blending grape and for varietal wines. The name Merlot is thought to be a diminutive of merle, the French name for the blackbird, probably a reference to the color of the grape. Its softness and "fleshiness", combined with its earlier ripening, makes Merlot a popular grape for blending with the sterner, later-ripening Cabernet Sauvignon, which tends to be higher in tannin.USAAmerican wine has been produced since the 1500s, with the first widespread production beginning in New Mexico in 1628. Today, wine production is undertaken in all fifty states, with California producing 84% of all U.S. wine. The continent of North America is home to several native species of grape, including Vitis labrusca, Vitis riparia, Vitis rotundifolia, and Vitis vulpina, but the wine-making industry is based almost entirely on the cultivation of the European Vitis vinifera, which was introduced by European settlers. With more than 1,100,000 acres (4,500 km2) under vine, the United States is the fourth-largest wine producing country in the world, after Italy, Spain, and France.Washington Washington Wine Commission | Credit to Washingtonwine.org for this article
Washington Wine
Washington State is a premium wine producing region located in the northwest corner of the United States. Although a relatively young wine industry, it is now the nation's second largest wine producer and is ranked among the world's top wine regions. Washington wines are found nationally in all 50 states and internationally in more than 40 countries.
Wineries
With 30,000+ acres planted, the state has ideal geography and conditions for growing premium vinifera wine grapes. Primarily grown on their own root stocks, the vines produce grapes of consistent quality, resulting in strong vintages year after year. While its focus is on Chardonnay, Riesling, Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon and Syrah, the region also produces a wide range of other spectacular whites and reds.
Growers
Winemakers from all over the world have chosen to establish themselves in Washington, where they can create wines reflecting this region's unique characteristics. Their hand-crafted wines are receiving wide acclaim from critics regionally, nationally and internationally for their consistently high quality. Many of them have received scores of 90 and above from the major wine media. Overall this is a higher percentage than other leading wine regions.
Regions
As the state's fourth largest fruit crop, the Washington wine industry is an important contributor to the long-term preservation of Washington agriculture. The industry is committed to sustainable agricultural practices and conservation of water resources.
Washington State is a premium wine producing region located in the northwest corner of the United States. Although a relatively young wine industry, it is now the nation's second largest wine producer and is ranked among the world's top wine regions. Washington wines are found nationally in all 50 states and internationally in more than 40 countries.
Varieties
Washington produces more than 20 wine grape varieties - a ratio of 56 percent white to 44 percent red. As the industry matures and experiments, it finds many grape varieties that thrive throughout Washington's microclimates. There are more than 16,000 vineyard acres of red wine varieties statewide.
History & Vintages
Washington's wine future is limitless. As consumers discover the quality of Washington wines, demand continues to grow nationally and internationally. New acreage and wine varietals are being planted and new wineries are opening at a remarkable pace. Washington State is recognized as a premium viticultural region around the world.
State Facts
Washington's wine industry generates more than $3 billion to the state economy. It employs more than 14,000 people, directly and indirectly, with projections to add nearly 2,000 more jobs by 2006. In terms of tax revenues accrued to the state and federal government, wine grapes are among the highest tax generators of any agricultural crops. Furthermore, Washington wine tourism attracts nearly two million visitors annually contributing to the positive growth of local and regional economies.
Washington State - the perfect climate for wine = ideal growing conditions, quality wines, business innovation, lifestyle, and social responsibility. All are key elements of this world-class wine industry.
Vintages
"2008 and even more so 2010 and 2011 were cool, even cold vintages (think: 2002 in the Barossa) without the extreme ripeness, extract and higher alcohol that had become the norm in the state’s post 1995 world. 2008 was manageable but the duo of 2010/2011 nearly caused a “great depression” in Washington State." - Jon RimmermanColumbia Valley Columbia Cascade Winery Association
The Columbia Valley AVA lies mostly in Washington state, with a small section in Oregon. The Cascade Range forms its western boundary with the Palouse regions bordering the area to the east. To the north, the Okanogan National Forest forms a border with the AVA and Canada. It encompasses the valleys formed by the Columbia River and its tributaries, including the Walla Walla River, the Snake River, and the Yakima River. The Columbia valley stretches between the 46th parallel and 47th parallel which puts it in line with the well known French wine growing regions of Bordeaux and Burgundy. The northern latitude gives the areas two more hours of additional daylight during the summer growing season than wine regions of California receive. The volcanic and sandy loam soil of the valley offers good drainage and is poor in nutrients, ideal in forcing the vine to concentrate its resources into the grape clusters.Columbia Valley Columbia Valley Winery Association |
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