1998 Columbia Crest Grand Estates Merlot

[newsguy]

had a bottle of this saturday night (along with garlic chicken w/ roasted pepper sauce) and i'd say this wine is peaking in '03. great stuff. all the elements, including the wonderful fruit, are well integrated and the tannins are much subdued. i think i have 4 or 5 bottles left, and will drink all but one this year. i'll save a bottle to drink in '04 just to see how it held up. i'd say drink 'em if you got 'em in the next 12 months or so, and enjoy!