Columbia Crest
Merlot, 2001
Grand Estates Columbia Valley
Purchased: NH Liquor Store Price $11
We purchased this wine as part of our quest to try every affordable wine on the Wine Spectator 2004 Top 100 list. Priced at just $11 and ranked #52, this Merlot fit the bill – and it was easy to find (unlike some of the top 100 wines)! We enjoyed this wine with Alice’s parents the day they returned from their 30th anniversary trip to the Turks and Caicos. They’re big fans of Merlot, so it was no surprise that they were very impressed by this wine. And we were, too, despite the fact that Merlot usually falls at the bottom of our red wine preferences. The wine was complex and full-bodied, yet remarkably silky. We enjoyed it with appetizers – cheese, crackers, and shrimp cocktail – and it worked well. However, we’d like to try it again with a nice steak. If you’ve never had Merlot before or never been a fan, this bottle makes for a great introduction.
A&T ranking: 8/10
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