Wine of the Month

Columbia Crest Winery

1999 Grand Estates Merlot

Columbia Crest Winery

Highway 221, Columbia Crest Drive
Paterson, Washington 99345
(509) 875-2061  

Winemaker: Doug Gore

Comment:

Here is a wine that everyone should like.  This is a Merlot that will introduce you to what Washington Merlot is all about: fruity, medium-bodied red wine, destined to please.  This is a wine you can serve with pizza, with beef, with lamb or pasta.  All at a relatively modest price and a prestigious name.

Columbia Crest is one of the most reliable and best of the Washington wineries.  From 1997 to 2002, nine of their wines made the annual Wine Spectator Top 100 list.  Their "Grand Estates" wines are chosen by the winemaker to feature particularly intense fruit character and exhibit the best characteristics of the varietal.  This Merlot is an excellent example, and ready to drink now.

We haven't visited this winery.  We have had the pleasure of drinking their wine, and that experience ensures that we have it high on our list for when we visit Washington.