<h1>2005 Reserve Merlot -- Columbia Crest Winery Shopping Cart</h1>
<b>$22.00</b>
-- <i>2008 Winter Club Selection<br>"...hints of spice and slight pepper aromas which lead to a soft, velvety palate of chocolate and blackberry flavors..."</i>
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This classic Washington state Merlot offers dark fruit aromas with hints of spice and slight pepper aromas which lead to a soft, velvety palate of chocolate and blackberry flavors. All of the fruit notes mingle harmoniously on the long, complex finish.”<em> ~Ray Einberger, Winemaker</em><p> </p>
<p><b>Growing Season</b> </p>
<ul>
<li>Harvest commenced as one of the earliest harvests on record.</li>
<li>Warm summer months and cool evenings contributed to the uniformity of berry maturation.</li>
<li>A temperature drop in late summer cooled the vineyard and allowed the grapes extra hang time to enhance flavor and aromatic development.</li>
<li>Moderate weather conditions during harvest contributed to mature fruit with intense flavors, good sugar development, and high natural acidity across varietals.</li>
</ul>
<p><b>Vineyards</b> </p>
<ul>
<li>Fruit was handpicked from the vintage’s best vineyards for Columbia Crest’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 the flavor and fruitiness; and in the Horse Heaven Hills, contributing balance and body to the finished wine.</li>
<li>The balance between warm daytime temperatures and cooler evenings concentrated aromatics and enhanced complexity.</li>
<li>Low rainfall stressed the vines, and irrigation was applied judiciously to create concentrated varietal expression.<br /></li>
</ul>
<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 pumpovers, lasted 6-10 days, depending on the lot.</li>
<li>A portion of the wine went through malolactic fermentation, which occurred in primarily new French oak barrels.</li>
<li>The wine aged in new barrels for 24 months.<br /></li>
</ul>
<p><strong>Vineyards • 100% Columbia Valley</strong><br />Blend........95% Merlot, 5% Cabernet Franc<br />Alcohol......14.2% <br />Acidity.......0.60 g/100mL <br />pH............3.54</p>
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<ul style="padding-left: 15px">
<li>SKU: 19326</li>
</ul>
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