Merlot Grand Estate 2019

Description of the Columbia Crest Winery

Located in the heart of the Columbia Valley in Washington State, Columbia Crest Estate is revered for its excellence in viticulture and winemaking. Taking full advantage of the region's exceptional climatic conditions and terroir, Columbia Crest has specialized in the production of classic grape varieties, with a particular emphasis on Merlot. The estate combines tradition and innovation to create wines that captivate with their quality and authentic expression of the terroir.

Description of the Columbia Crest Merlot Grand Estate Cuvée

The Columbia Crest Merlot Grand Estate Cuvée is a perfect illustration of the potential and elegance of Merlot grown in the Columbia Valley. This wine is the result of a careful selection of the best grapes, vinified with the aim of highlighting the aromatic richness and fine texture specific to Merlot. The Grand Estate cuvée expresses the quintessence of the grape variety, with particular attention paid to the balance between tannic structure, freshness and aromatic complexity.

Aromas of the Cuvée

This Merlot reveals a rich and complex nose, where notes of red and black fruits mingle, such as cherry, plum and blackcurrant, enhanced by touches of vanilla, chocolate and a hint of spices, resulting from a Careful aging in oak barrels. The whole creates a captivating and inviting aromatic harmony.

Characteristics of the Cuvée

• Grape variety: Merlot
• Profile: A charming and accessible wine, characterized by its roundness, its supple tannins and a beautiful length on the palate. It offers a pleasant tasting experience, marked by great expressiveness of the fruit.
• Aging Potential: Although this Merlot is attractive in its youth, it also has the potential to evolve positively in bottle, gaining complexity and aromatic nuances over time.

Pairings with this Cuvée

Columbia Crest Merlot Grand Estate pairs harmoniously with a wide variety of dishes, from grilled red meats and slow-cooked dishes to richly sauced pastas and medium-aged cheeses. Its versatility makes it an ideal table companion for many occasions.

In the United States, 90% of the wine produced comes from California. It was the influx of gold prospectors to California that boosted the California wine industry in the mid-19th century, particularly in the Sonoma and Napa region. At the start of the 20th century, there were 800 wineries. From 1919 to 1933 Prohibition destroyed the vast majority of the California wine industry so that by 1933, only 140 wineries remained producing wine. It was only from 1960 that the wine industry began to recover from Prohibition and California was primarily known for the production of fortified wines (in the style of Port). It was also in the 1960s that some of the most famous estates were created (Mondavi, Heitz Wine Cellars, Stag's Leap Wine Cellars, etc...). In 1976, a significant event took place: the legendary tasting competition better known as the "Judgment of Paris". He sees the greatest French wines opposing the new American wines. This May 24, an unexpected result shakes the world of wine, since to everyone's surprise, it is the United States which wins. However, this competition remains relatively unknown to the general public. Today, there is no doubt that the United States produces great wines. Even though California largely monopolizes the reputation of American wines with its excellent Zinfandels, the state of Oregon produces some of the best Pinot Noir in the world and the state of Washington offers excellent Chardonnay, Merlot and Cabernet-Sauvignon.