Columbia Crest, Merlot, 1993, $11.(Food)(Wine Of The Week)

0 Comments | Washington Times, The, January, 1996 | by Lukacs, Paul

More than any other winery, Washington State's Columbia Crest ignited the spark that led to the recent explosion of interest in wines made from merlot. Year after year its moderately priced merlots have tasted rich and soft - exactly the combination that many wine drinkers are looking for.

The currently released 1993 merlot adds to Columbia Crest's enviable track record. the wine has an appealing bouquet of ripe red berries, with hints of cedar and vanilla, followed by round, lush flavors. There is just enough tannin to provide structure without adding any bitter aftertaste. I often recommend merlot as an accompaniment to grilled foods, since the soft quality of the fruit seems to go especially well with the tang from the charcoal. But if the...