Columbia Crest Winery Grand Estates Merlot 2013 Wine Review

Columbia Crest Winery Grand Estates Merlot 2013

Columbia Valley, Washington, United States

Community Score:89/100

Community Reviews: 13

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Price: $17.95

Drink: 2014-2018

Bottle size: 750 ml

Alcohol: 13.5%

Sweetness: Dry

Wine Type: Red Wine

Winery: Columbia Crest Winery

Agent: Philippe Dandurand Wines Ltd.

Natalie's Score: 91/100

Now I understand why Washington is renowned for Merlot! This gorgeously rich and layered Merlot is so flavourful and interesting that even Miles in the movie Sideways would relent. It's a merlot for cabernet drinkers in it's power and concentration yet it's still smooth and supple on the palate. The reason is that merlot has tighter and smaller berry (grape) clusters so the skin to juice ratio when macerating and fermenting is lower which results in the more flavour compounds transferring to the juice (wine) before the skins are remove yet the tannins are shorter than in cabernet so you don't get that furry mouth feeling. Great weight, structure and finish. Pair this with veal shank or duck.

Merlot food pairings: Tandoori-flavored dishes, game, rack of BBQ ribs, veal Porterhouse.

Voluptuous Veal Wine

This Columbia Crest Winery Grand Estates Merlot 2013 was reviewed on March 3, 2017 by Natalie MacLean

More Vintages: 2017 2015 2012

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Pricing & Stock Information

LCBO
454835
$17.95
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BCLDB
263418
$14.63
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SAQ
10748451
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Reviews and Ratings

Colin McKone - Sommelier rated this wine as 91/100 with the following review:

Dark ruby with aromas of plum, blackberry, cherry, smoke, leather and baking spices. A very bold Merlot that Cab lovers will enjoy for both the flavours and the price. Full bodied and well balanced tannins and acid with flavours of plum, cherry and pepper. This is a great wine to bring to a BBQ.

Craig Kuziemsky rated this wine as 90/100 with the following review:

Always one of the best bargain priced Merlot available. Plum and smoke dominate the nose with chocolate, blackberry and even a hint of graphite appearing on the palate. A perfect wine for grilled meat or BBQ.

Carola Price rated this wine as 90/100 with the following review:

A nose full of chocolate, plum, cedar box and pencil lead leading to a mouth full of flavour. Black cherry, plum, some woody character and dark chocolate. This is what Washington State Merlot is known for. Well balanced and such a great value it is a whole lot of wine for your dollar. Pair with cheese and charcuterie, Tuscan veal roast and lamb shanks in Merlot sauce. Drink now to 5 years

Lori Kilmartin WSET3 - WSET3 Sommelier rated this wine as 90/100 with the following review:

This BIG Merlot was tasted after a Cabernet Sauvignon in the line-up. Washington State Merlot berries are a smaller berry and in tight cluster creating a richer and more tannic Merlot than the norm. Lots of weight and structure, dark fruit and cocoa on the nose with lots of fruit on the palate. Tannins still a bit grippy but well balanced with acidity. This is a wine to buy 3 bottles of. Drink one now and cellar the other two for tasting in a few years. The winemaker himself called this a "Merlot for non wine drinkers". Tasted June 2016

Cherie Cole rated this wine as 90/100 with the following review:

The Merlot's of Washington State are fuller, bolder and have more tannins than those of the Cabernet Sauvignon's from the same region. For the non-Merlot drinker, I highly recommend trying this one. It has a complex aroma and flavour profile with aromas of ripe cherry, dark chocolate and plum. The palate is bursting with the perfect combination of chocolate and cherry. It has a medium-full body with velvety tannins and is a new addition to the LCBO's General List. Tasted June, 2016.

Monique Sosa - Accredited Sommelier rated this wine as 89/100 with the following review:

At first glance, the 2013 CC Merlot shows tamer aromas than it's Cab Sauv counterpart but the palate is full bodied and well rounded. Key notes include: ripe blackberry, plum, anise, leather, and cocoa. Acidity and tannins are moderate while the sugar level is off-dry. It's easy drinking, crowd pleasing, budget friendly and pairs amazingly with anything off the BBQ. It won't surprise if folks keep coming back to enjoy this Merlot again and again. Tasted Jul 2016. @sommsosa @bespoketastings

Matt Steeves - Certified Sommelier rated this wine as 89/100 with the following review:

Unique to Washington State is that their Merlot tends to have more tannins than their Cabernet Sauvignon, partially due to their Merlot having smaller clusters, meaning more skin contact and therefore flavour, tannins, etc., compared to Cab. The Columbia Crest Grand Estates Merlot is richly flavoured with dark cherries, dark plum, baking spices, pencil shavings, and a touch of underbrush. Dark plum, fig, and chocolate on the finish. Some pretty serious tannins giving great texture and making this wine ideal with grilled filet mignon. At $17.95 you can't find better value anywhere. Very impressive. Tasted June 2016. 89+ points. Matt Steeves - www.quercusvino.ca

Jane Staples - Certified Sommelier rated this wine as 89/100 with the following review:

Blueberry and plum jam flavours with an aromatic nose and velvety texture. Enjoy with roast pork or veal.
Tasted March 2017

Jennifer Havers - WSET Level 3 rated this wine as 88/100 with the following review:

This is a great value wine that has just been added to LCBO's general list. Full bodied, and full of flavour. Lots of plush cherry and mocha on the nose. Fruit and chocolate notes mingle nicely on the palate with a smooth finish. Described by the winemaker as a "Merlot for non-Merlot drinkers". Points for value here too ($17.95!). Pair with any red meat, or BBQ ribs.

Stephen Andrews reviewed this wine as follows:

Picked out for a Christmas open house. Plum on the nose. Plum on the palate soft tannins. After the second and third tasting the wine grows on you with its flavours and easy drinking character. Cheese wine, and food friendly. This is a nice wine that I would order by the glass in a restaurant for lunch and by the bottle at dinner with friends. Good value and well made Merlot. And as of Dec 17th on sale at the LCBO.

3 Members would buy this wine again

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Columbia Crest Winery Grand Estates Merlot 2013 Wine Review

Natalie's Score: 91/100

Pricing & Stock Information

Reviews and Ratings