Columbia Crest, Merlot Grand Estates, Columbia Valley

It needed extra aeration. Tart…. Not the best.

2020 vintage

Nase: kräftiges Bouquet, sehr beerig und fruchtig, erinnert an reichhaltige Brombeermarmelade mit einem Hauch von Alkohol, was eine angenehme Intensität verleiht. Etwas Süsses schimmert auch durch. Gaumen: vollmundig, kräftig, strukturierte Gerbstoffe, ausgewogene Säure, die eine gute Balance zu den Tanninen bietet. Langer, trockener Abgang. Beim gemütlichen, gedankenversunkenen Trinken wirkt der Nordamerikaner zugänglich, konzentriert, geschmeidig und schön süffig. Fazit: Ein toller Übersee-Merlot, der nicht einfach nur süss und fett ist. Gut, diese Zeiten sind eigentlich vorbei, auch die Amerikaner haben festgestellt, …

2020 vintage

This has been my go to wine for the average weeknight for years. This vintage is far inferior to prior vintages. I have tried several bottles with the hope that it would get better. Sadly not to be… just flat and lifeless. None of the licorice, fruit and subtle oak from prior vintages. Not sure if they changed something in the process, but this is not what I have come to expect from Columbia Crest.

2020 vintage

Flat in character and not very good. Low acidity and tannins. Grapey. Shockingly low QPR for Columbia Crest.

2020 vintage

Has not improved

2020 vintage

This vintage is disappointing. Previous vintages displayed so much more. The 2020 feels lighter with a not so pleasant taste I’m not a fan of the new look bottle and screw cap. Looks lone a cost savings move. Bring back 2018.

2020 vintage

2004 COLUMBIA CREST GRAND ESTATES MERLOT- tasted blind; I threw this in as a ringer since it was purchased for under $10 and would be a tough call in a blink tasting; it was a Wine Spectator #8 in the 07` top 100; made of 97% Merlot, 3.5% Cabernet Sauvignon and .5% Cabernet Franc; still showing strong with continued surprising pleasure, it had wondrous blackberry and plum fruit with mild chocolate and coffee notes; it had a medium plus body …

2004 vintage

I was so surprised when I opened this wine, expecting it to be undrinkable. Not only is it drinkable, it is stunning! Dark color with no signs of bricking; a strong and very attractive nose, redolent of oak, spice. leather, and sweet tobacco. A bit light on the palate; tannins are fully integrated, leaving only a bit of dark fruit and spice to tease the palate. A bit of a mineral note on the finish. Major shortcoming is that it …

2004 vintage

A really pleasant surprise. The last of the lot and long forgotten, I'd assumed it would be way over the hill, but instead, it is...quite elegant, balanced and drinking incredibly well, far, far above the price point. I could almost mistake it for a solid mid-range Bordeaux. I now wish I had more.

2004 vintage

Great wine, smooth taste, bought it at Costco. Great price for this hidden gem!

2011 vintage

manufactured red fruit, polished with cassis; new world mass product; blessedly quick finish

2011 vintage

thumbs up for 8.99! at this price who am i kidding. YES it's front loaded with ripe black cherry, sweet oak, and a big dose of black coffee, but this is what i'm looking for in a wine of this price. short finish with a hint of residual sugar on the tail end but it isn't overdone or cloying. pop and pour party or weeknight wine that is unlikely to offend wine drinkers at any level.

2011 vintage

Dark ruby color turning violet at the rim with a nose of rose petals, red berries and vanilla. The palate is gorgeous and flamboyant; round and velvety with a heightened vibe that is carried all throughout. Flavors of cherry, cranberry, chocolate and a delicious spiciness dominates the core followed by a nice, long finish with hints of espresso and mild earth. Just delicious for an everyday wine. Great job from Columbia Crest! Drink now until 2021.

2011 vintage

Delicious. Smooth. Fruity. And a bargain

2011 vintage

Great Value. Cherry, med body and red fruits.

2011 vintage

A nose of cherry and spice, dark garnet in color. A medium bodied smooth red, with black cherry, berries, smoke and spice on finish, a good QPR. www.winelx.com

2011 vintage

I am not a fan of wines from the Northwest generally. I find them overly fruity, but this is a good, hard to dislike Merlot. Fruity and friendly. I've had several bottles and find it to be liked by almost everyone (although not a "game-changer" - afterall it's <$10 a bottle). Good QPR. Suggested.

2011 vintage

Good Washington state Merlot. Above average QPR at $8. More subdued than some previous vintages however still shows ample fruit aromas and flavors.

2011 vintage

Getting over a cold so I am not scoring this wine but I liked it enough to buy more. At $10 at Costco it's hard to go wrong.

2011 vintage

Huge hit with the in-laws. Dark and coffee notes.

2011 vintage

Blackberry nose, jammy taste with a sharp finish. Drinkable and goes well with simple Italian dishes.

2011 vintage

Bold full body with dark fruit, chocolate, and vanilla notes. Lots of flavor. Almost jammy. Nice round tannin finish. Great value - everyday wine.

2011 vintage

Love Wintergreen's coffeehouse note. This is it in a nutshell. This time of year, they should be pumping Christmas music through this bottle.

2011 vintage

A pretty big, easy drinking Merlot. Dark fruit, coffee, some chocolate. Not much noticable acidity or tannins.

2011 vintage

nose: like other columbia crest 2011s ive tried, this is really coffeehouse. like, the whole damn place...espresso, cream, mint, tea, syrup, etc. palate: dry but creamy and massively tannic. tons of burnt barrel flavors and plum, like a big ripe shiraz. huge clove finish thats a little disconcerting. hell, it's tasty and totally overdone

2011 vintage

This is still holding up nicely. My last bottle, so it's time get more for the future. Great value.

2004 vintage

Good value

2004 vintage

still good. not much fruit notes left, but some tar and earthiness still.

2004 vintage

Very good wine. Must drink right away as...cork partially disintegrated as opening. Caught it in time, Not corked...Matured wine.

1999 vintage

had with greek food

2004 vintage

Brick orange red, yellowing at the rim. Spiced oranges, leather, orange citrus tea, mulling spices, smoke, cigar box, and caramel aromas. Full bodied with a pleasant texture. Sweet, dried plums, cassis, dried oranges, red currants, orange pith, mocha, spice box, and a dry, plum pit finish. Has held up nicely. Drink up.

1999 vintage

Sorry to say, not nearly as good as previous bottles. Knew all along that this didn't have the structure to age well, so it's my own fault for not drinking the last of these before it started to fall apart. Still has the nice nose of berries and vanilla and is pleasantly fruity on the palate, but now lacks the depth and polish that it once had. 50+5+11+12+7=85

2004 vintage

A nice holiday surprise!! Needed about 20 minutes to open and firm up, but turns out smooth and firm. Black fruit in the nose with black raspberries coming to mind. Raisin-y at first, but easily paired with the salmon pasta dish we had for dinner. Hints of coffee or mocha come to mind. Only one more bottle, a bargain at under $8.

2004 vintage

Last of a great bargain. Wish I had another case!

2004 vintage

Had another bottle last night -- seems to be hold up well. It is very mellow now, but still with nice fruit and acid, giving layers of complexity. Hard to believe this was under $10. Wish I had another case!

2004 vintage

A wonderful everyday wine, this has just gotten better with age. If anyone says only California makes good American wines, they haven't been to Washington state.

2004 vintage

Nose of maple syrup and violets. Brown sugar infused currant with a crayon vein towards the finish. Drinking well now with the sweet fruit not as syrupy and upfront. Magnificent value. Very, very good.

2004 vintage

Still drinkable, remarkably.

1999 vintage

off taste, a bit acidic

2004 vintage

Blueberry, coffee, and cherry flavors with smooth refined tannins. Solid Merlot

2004 vintage

Good value. It bit too oaky to be consumed on its own.

2004 vintage

party no notes

2004 vintage

Well, have been a fan of the Merlot here, based on 2006 and one 2005. Found this 04 - not as impressed for value ect...as per some notes, i think this is getting on i age and is loosing the fruit. I get lots of oak on the nose which carries into the palate. It is a nice medium body and medium finish - but i just keep thinking of oak in my head and not a lot more - …

2004 vintage

See previous notes. Smooth, easy drinking. Tannins are very muted. Nice finish.

2004 vintage

This is a very nice, easy to drink merlot with a lot of cherry and some subtle chocolate notes as well. Good body, low acid and smooth tannins. It is getting a bit on in age, and I recommend drinking sooner rather than later. Excellent value for price.

2004 vintage

Had this as a second bottle behind the 05 Merlot. Actually showed better. More black fruit, with slight chocolate flavors. A bit sweeter and slightly more body. Drinking pretty well for an $8 Washington State red.

2004 vintage

This wine seems to be past its prime. Fruit has become bitter and oak and tannins are more dominant on the palate. Perhaps a bad bottle, will see with the next one.

2004 vintage

Darn good still...pure fruit, medium body, smooth finish. Oak is there but is well integrated and showing its pleasant side - vanilla and caramel. For $10-11 it is really hard to do better than this, especially domestically. Great with pasta and tomato sauce. Unfortunately this is my last one...don't be in too much of a hurry to drink these...this bottle was the best of a case.

2004 vintage

Stored at 55 degrees from original purchase. Still great has fruit, intense vanilla and berry in nose, in the nose, fair complexity, outstanding $11 bottle of wine.

2004 vintage

Really nice QPR. Seems like it has lost a touch of fruit over the last year.

2004 vintage

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Columbia Crest, Merlot Grand Estates, Columbia Valley

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