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2007 Northstar Columbia Valley Merlot

Not Currently In Auction

Latest Sale Price

January 8, 2023 - $26

Estimate

RATINGS

93Wine Enthusiast

... Young and muscular, the blend of black fruits, sweet oak and toasty spice is focused and compelling. Pure fruit flavors include black cherry and plum, smooth and concentrated, with a smoky kick in the lingering finish.

92The Wine Advocate

It reveals a nose of pain grille, pencil lead, spice box, lavender, cassis, and black currant. Medium to full-bodied on the palate, this impeccably balanced wine is loaded with raspberry, plum, and black fruit flavors...

91Wine Spectator

Dense and chewy, featuring a sweetness and suppleness that make the earthy cherry and blackberry flavors weave through the tannins, emerging on the long finish with finesse.

90Stephen Tanzer

Aromatic nose combines plum, cherry, cedar, graphite and wild mint. At once dense and juicy, with good balance and freshness to the red fruit and tobacco flavors. This fresh, firmly tannic merlot finishes with very good chewy lift...

REGION

United States, Washington, Columbia Valley

Columbia Valley AVA is larger than some states. At 18,000 square miles, or 11 million acres, the appellation covers almost half of Washington State and a small part of Oregon on the south side of the Columbia River. Established in 1984, Columbia Valley contains numerous sub appellations within its boundaries, including Yakima Valley AVA and Walla Walla AVA, both large and important wine districts. Columbia Valley AVA, generally called the Columbia Basin by Pacific Northwesterners, is in the Columbia River Plateau, and the AVA also includes a section of northeastern Oregon. There are dozens of microclimates within this appellation of about 7,000 vineyard acres. Many kinds of grapes are grown in the Columbia Valley, though the principal grapes planted are Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Chardonnay, Riesling, Syrah, Pinot Gris and Sauvignon Blanc. Eastern Washington experiences very hot summers and cold winters, and the northern latitude means that Washington vineyards receive several more hours of sun in the summer than California vineyards. Grapes in Washington therefore have time to develop significant tannins and overall ripeness.

TYPE

Red Wine, Merlot

The Merlot grape is such a deep blue that it is named for the blackbird. It’s an early ripening grape and one of the primary varietals used In Bordeaux. Merlot is also grown in the "International style," which is harvested later to bring out more tannins and body.