Reviews & Ratings

2006 Leonetti Cellar Merlot "Columbia Valley"

Winery: Leonetti Cellar

Vintage: 2006

Wine Name/Vineyard: "Columbia Valley"

Wine Category: Merlot

Grape blend: 76% Merlot, 13% Cabernet Sauvignon, 8% Carmenere, & 4% Petit Verdot

Bottle size: 750 ml

Region: Columbia Valley

State or country: WA

Price: $65

Cases produced: 2,723

KWG Score: 92 (based on 6 reviews)

Ken's Wine Rating: Very Good+ (91)

Review date: March 20, 2009

Wine Review: Leonetti has been a major player in WA wine for quite some time. I was quite impressed by the 2006 Merlot. This wine is very dark purple in color and opens with a very attractive cherry like bouquet with notes of vanilla and spice. On the palate, this wine is medium bodied, well balanced, and displays very tasty cherry vanilla flavors. There was also a hint of light oak and spicy blueberry as well. The finish is dry and its managed tannins are reasonably prolonged. This wine went quite well with our tenderloin sandwich at Wine Week at Smith and Wollensky. Enjoy - Ken

Winemaker Notes: Beautiful dark red color. A nose of lavender and violet florals gives way to candied bing cherry, subtle toasty oak notes, and a wine just dripping with gobs of ripe fruit. The wine coats the palate with it’s glycerin and sweet fruit. This wine has a purity of fruit and length that even the finest estates of Pomerol and St. Emilion would envy. Everything is in balance and this generous wine is ready to drink now but will also reward cellaring.

Buy it: Use 1000 Corks to find stores that sell Leonetti 2006 Merlot.