Reviews & Ratings

2009 Northstar Merlot "Columbia Valley"

Winery: Northstar

Vintage: 2009

Wine Name/Vineyard: "Columbia Valley"

Wine Category: Merlot

Grape blend: 81% Merlot, 15% Cabernet Sauvignon & 4% Petit Verdot

Bottle size: 750 ml

Region: Columbia Valley

State or country: WA

Price: $40

Cases produced: 8,100

KWG Score: 91.4 (based on 5 reviews)

Ken's Wine Rating: Very Good+ (92)

Review date: August 3, 2014

Wine Review: This pitch black colored Merlot from Northstar is impressive. It opens with a fragrant and inviting blackberry bouquet with hints of black licorice. On the palate, this wine is full bodied, very well balanced and smooth. The flavor profile is a very ripe blackberry with notes of black licorice. I also detected hints of oak, black currant, and gentle minerality. The finish is dry and its flavors and well managed moderate tannins fade away nicely. This went well with my ribeye at Smith and Wollensky. Enjoy – Ken

Winemaker Notes: Rich and concentrated aromas of vanilla, blackberry, and maple lead into flavors of boysenberry, blueberry, and chocolate. This wine was created to enjoy now or for many years to come – it will age gracefully. Food pairings: Herbed leg of lamb, roasted quail

Buy it: Use 1000 Corks to find stores that sell Northstar 2009 Columbia Valley Merlot.