Favorite recent Merlots

[Bucko]

Here's a baker's dozen:

2002 Cougar Crest, Merlot, Hangartown Select, Walla Walla Valley, Washington, $29, 915 cases. This wine presents with a host of black fruit, chocolate, integrated oak, crisp acids and easy-going tannins. Tasty; 90/90.

2003 Stephenson, Merlot, Walla Walla Valley, Washington, $28. Lots of black fruit, cedar and dill spice radiate from this inky wine. Built on a full-bodied frame with firm but rounded tannins, black fruit predominates on the palate, finishing long and lovely; 89/89.

2003 Tamarack, Merlot, Columbia Valley, Washington, $28, 1,456 cases. Purple/red in color, this is a full-throttled Merlot with jammy overtones and firm, rounded tannins. Black cherries, berries and white pepper spice come together to make a tasty package; 90/90.

2003 Walla Walla Vintners, Merlot, Walla Walla Valley, Washington, $28. Big, full, lush and jammy, you’ll find juicy black fruit with just a kiss of mint; 90/90.

2003 Isenhower, Merlot, Red Paintbrush, Columbia Valley, Washington, $26. Here’s another classic example of Washington Merlot. The wine is loaded with lush fruit spanning the blue/black spectrum. The finish is long and lush, showing well-integrated oak; 90/90.

2002 Pepper Bridge, Merlot, Walla Walla Valley, Washington, $45, 1,113 cases. The nose is filled with aromas of fresh-crushed black cherries, coffee and oak nuances. The wine is full bodied, with generous but rounded tannins. Complex fruit unfolds in layers of black cherries, cassis and cocoa; 91/91.

2002 Zerba, Merlot, Columbia Valley, Washington, $24, 296 cases. Medium bodied in structure, the tannins are well rounded and also shows good oak integration. Black and red fruit defines the flavor profile, with a long, satisfying finish; 89+/89+.

2002 Fort Walla Walla Cellars, Merlot, Walla Walla Valley, Washington, $28, 455 cases. Here’s a Merlot with all of the adjectives – lush blackberries, plums, herbs, jam, balance and integrated oak. The finish is endless; 91/91.

2003 Spring Valley, Merlot, Mule Skinner, Walla Walla Valley, Washington, $35. Sweet black cherry and black raspberry fruit leads the charge on the sensory spectrum. Long, full and lovely, this wine has a good future; 89/89.

2002 L’Ecole, Merlot, Columbia Valley, Washington, $29, 5,044 cases. Blackberries and cedar lead off on the nose. Integrated sweet oak and crisp acidity gives character to the blackberry and black cherry fruit that lingers endlessly on the finish; 88/88.

2002 L’Ecole, Merlot, Seven Hills Vineyard, Walla Walla Valley, Washington, $36, 1,562 cases. Look out Miles – you’ll be hard pressed not to like this Merlot. Layers of black cherries, chocolate, cedar and anise unfold in waves of complexity. Very harmonious; 91/91.

2002 Three Rivers, Merlot, Columbia Valley, Washington, $19. This is a classic example of Washington Merlot. Well structured, full and lush, the wine sports black cherries with a hint of licorice and black olives; 89/91.

2002 Woodward Canyon, Merlot, Columbia Valley, Washington, $33, 1,536 cases. Full and complex, the wine displays loads of black fruit, mocha, spice and vanilla. Firm but ripe tannins dictate three to five years of aging before serving; 89/89.

[TheEngineer]

D@mn....that's a long list! That should just about do it for the year [img]http://www.wines.com/ubb2/smile.gif[/img]

Thanks for some pointers!

[dananne]

Zerba's kind of a neat little winery. They're in the Walla Walla AVA, but they're off on the Oregon side. We tasted their wines in Oregon last month and were impressed. We may have tried the Tamarack and the Pepper Bridge on the offline trip, but I can't remember offhand.

BTW, Bucko, missed having the chance to meet you while out there. Hopefully next time!

[winoweenie]

Post it up to blind luck! WW [img]http://www.wines.com/ubb2/wink.gif[/img](giggle, snort)