<H1>2004 Reserve Merlot -- Columbia Crest Winery Shopping Cart</H1> <B>$22.00</B> -- <I>2007 Winter Club Selection<br>"...aromatics of spice, blackberry, and chocolate"</I> <P> <p><b>Tasting Notes</b> &#8220;This classic Washington state Merlot offers aromatics of spice, blackberry, and chocolate which lead into a balanced palate of velvety-textured fruit and tannins. The long, seductive finish lingers.&#8221; <em>~Ray Einberger, Winemakers</em> </p> <p><b>Growing Season</b> </p> <ul> <li>A hot, dry growing season created ideal flavor maturity and promoted an early harvest start.</li> <li>Cool temperatures and intermittent rain in mid-September prompted extended hang time, which allowed the grapes to reach ideal physiologic maturing.</li> <li>The 2004 harvest is characterized by smaller berry and cluster size, with intense flavors, good sugar development and high natural acidity.</li> </ul> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><b>Vineyards</b> </p> <ul> <li>Fruit was handpicked from the top 10% of the vintage&#8217;s best vineyards for Columbia Crest&#8217;s Reserve Merlot.</li> <li>Vineyard sites are located on the Wahluke Slope, offering aromatics, texture and complexity; in the Cold Creek area, adding to flavor and fruitiness; and on the Horse Heaven Hills, contributing balance and body to the finished wine.</li> <li>The balance between the growing season&#8217;s warm daytime temperatures and cooler nights, particularly during the ripening period, concentrated aromatics and enhanced complexity.</li> <li>Low rainfall stressed the vines, and irrigation was applied judiciously to create concentrated varietal expression.</li> </ul> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><b>Vinification</b> </p> <ul> <li>Grapes were crushed with 30% whole berries remaining.</li> <li>Cold soaking on the skins for two days extracted soft tannins and intense color.</li> <li>Fermentation, including twice-daily pump overs, lasted to 10 days, depending on the lot.</li> <li>Malolactic fermentation occurred in primarily new French (72%) and one-year-old American (19%) oak barrels.</li> <li>The wine aged in barrels for 27 months.</li> </ul> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>Vineyard Beverly Vineyard <br />Blend........90% Merlot, 10% Cabernet Sauvignon <br />Alcohol......14.2% <br />Acidity.......0.54g/100mL <br />pH............3.68 </p> </P> <P> <LI>SKU: 17544 </P> <P><B>Other products in the category <A HREF="http://store.columbiacrest.com/Category10" TITLE="All Wines">All Wines</A> / <A HREF="http://store.columbiacrest.com/Category1" TITLE="Reserve">Reserve</A>:</B> <BR clear=left><BR><LI><A HREF=http://store.columbiacrest.com/Product32 TITLE="2005 Semillon Reserve Ice Wine 375 mL">2005 Semillon Reserve Ice Wine 375 mL</A> -- "Sweet earth, pineapple and honey aromas..."<br> Past Club Selection Spring 2007 <BR clear=left><BR><LI><A HREF=http://store.columbiacrest.com/Product64 TITLE="2005 Reserve Zinfandel">2005 Reserve Zinfandel</A> -- "...aromatics of spice, blackberry, and chocolate"<br /> Past Club Selection <BR clear=left><BR><LI><A HREF=http://store.columbiacrest.com/Product73 TITLE="2005 Reserve Syrah">2005 Reserve Syrah</A> -- 2008 Summer Club Selection<br>"...aromatics of wild strawberries, spice, blueberries" <BR clear=left><BR><LI><A HREF=http://store.columbiacrest.com/Product50 TITLE="2005 Reserve Cabernet Franc">2005 Reserve Cabernet Franc</A> -- 2007 Winter Club Selection<br>"palate of cocoa and black cherry flavors..." <BR clear=left><BR><LI><A HREF=http://store.columbiacrest.com/Product48 TITLE="2004 Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon">2004 Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon</A> -- "palate of cocoa and black cherry flavors..." <BR clear=left><BR><LI><A HREF=http://store.columbiacrest.com/Product47 TITLE="2004 Red Reserve Walter Clore">2004 Red Reserve Walter Clore</A> <BR clear=left><BR><LI><A HREF=http://store.columbiacrest.com/Product13 TITLE="2003 Walter Clore Red Reserve">2003 Walter Clore Red Reserve</A> </P> <BR clear=left><BR><P><A HREF="http://store.columbiacrest.com" TITLE="Columbia Crest Winery Products">Columbia Crest Winery Products</A></P> <BR clear=left><BR><BR><BR><BR> <BR><A HREF="http://www.columbia-crest.com">Columbia Crest Winery</A> <BR>Columbia Crest Winery <A HREF="http://www.nexternal.com" TITLE="shopping cart">shopping cart</A> powered by Nexternal
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