Columbia Crest Two Vines Merlot 2001

Number 52 on Wine Spectator Top 100 Wines of 2004! Consistently warm temperatures July through September yielded Merlot brimming with ripe, concentrated varietal character. Lots were crushed and destemmed, then each was fermented separately on the skins for five days. Certainlots then were designated to undergo extended contact with the skins to extract additional color, flavor and tannin. The wine was racked by gravity flow to predominantly new French and American oak barrels for malolactic fermentationand 16 months aging. During this time, barrel to barrel racking was done every three read more...months with biweekly topping. After aging, the winemaker sampled each component wine and created a master blend featuring 60% of all fruit initiallyharvested for the Grand Estates program. A small amount of Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc also were added to the blend to broaden flavor complexity. The wine offers a chewy raspberry-blueberry core that is cloaked in toastycoconut. A structure of medium-plus tannins presents a velvety texture on the middle palate.    (hide)

Rating: 90/100 - As reviewed by Wine Spectator on 10/15/04

Wine experts have declared the Columbia Valley flat out the best region in America to produce Merlot. Confirming that praise, Columbia Crest has become one of the most sought-after in America. Extensive aging in small oak barrels enhances this silky, full-bodied wine.

Just-picked aromas of raspberry and black cherry introduce a plush balance of fruit and oak in the mouth. Berry and subtle cocoa flavors linger on the palate.

Blackberry and chocolate aromatics are pronounced. The palate offers a balance between blackberry and cocoa. This is a classicWashington Merlot with fruit-forward appeal and a lingering velvety texture in the mouth.

Rating: 87/100 - As reviewed in Wine Advocate # 154 on Aug-04