2003 Northstar Merlot , Walla Walla -- Northstar Winery Shopping Cart
$60.00
-- 92 points -Wine Advocate
91 points-Wine Spectator
Tasting Notes
Dusty malt, dried herbs and bright cherry flavors are balanced well into this smoothly-structured wine that concludes with a supple, lingering finish.
Vineyards
- Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon from some of Walla Walla’s best vineyard sites are showcased here.
- Planted in 1995 Vanessa Vineyards is located on the Oregon side of the appellation and contributed both Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon grapes to this vintage.
- Windrow Vineyard produces fruit with small berries as a result of little to no added water through irrigation. The resulting fruit provides concentrated black cherry flavors, structure and complexity to the blend.
Winemaking
- Grapes were destemmed, crushed and inoculated with Premier Cuvée yeast to begin the five-day fermentation.
- The must was punched down daily during fermentation, and then it was racked into barrels to undergo malolactic fermentation.
- Racking occurred every three months for clarity during the 17-month aging process.
- The barrel regime included 65% French and 35% American oak, 65% new barrels.
- The final blend consists of fruit from 11 distinct vineyard blocks.
Vintage Overview
- The 2003 growing season began with a normal bud break-to-bloom cycle in early April.
- Warm, dry and constant weather conditions during the summer months created uniform berry maturation.
- Hot temperatures during the waning days of summer created excellent ripening conditions
- Modest spells of cooling precipitation in September ensured physiological maturity and flavor development at harvest.
Acclaim
92 points -Wine Advocate
"...I loved Northstar’s 2003 Merlot Walla Walla Valley "
TECHNICAL DATA
- Total acidity 0.60 g/100ml
- pH 3.77
- Alcohol 14.4%
- Blend 84% Merlot, 12% Cabernet Sauvignon, 4% Cabernet Franc
SKU: 14830
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