2003 Northstar Merlot , Walla Walla (Northstar Wines) -- Northstar Winery Shopping Cart -- Walla Walla , Merlot Northstar 2003

<H1>2003 Northstar Merlot , Walla Walla -- Northstar Winery Shopping Cart</H1> $60.00 -- 92 points -Wine Advocate 91 points-Wine Spectator <IMG SRC="https://store.nexternal.com/northstar/images/wine-wwvmacl-lg.gif" ALIGN=right ALT="2003 Northstar Merlot , Walla Walla" NAME="2003 Northstar Merlot , Walla Walla" BORDER=0 HSPACE=10> 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 <ul> <li>Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon from some of Walla Walla’s best vineyard sites are showcased here. </li> <li>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.</li> <li>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. </li> </ul>   Winemaking <ul> <li>Grapes were destemmed, crushed and inoculated with Premier Cuvée yeast to begin the five-day fermentation. </li> <li>The must was punched down daily during fermentation, and then it was racked into barrels to undergo malolactic fermentation.</li> <li>Racking occurred every three months for clarity during the 17-month aging process.</li> <li>The barrel regime included 65% French and 35% American oak, 65% new barrels. </li> <li>The final blend consists of fruit from 11 distinct vineyard blocks. </li> </ul>   Vintage Overview <ul> <li>The 2003 growing season began with a normal bud break-to-bloom cycle in early April. </li> <li>Warm, dry and constant weather conditions during the summer months created uniform berry maturation.</li> <li>Hot temperatures during the waning days of summer created excellent ripening conditions </li> <li>Modest spells of cooling precipitation in September ensured physiological maturity and flavor development at harvest. </li> </ul>   Acclaim 92 points -Wine Advocate "...I loved Northstar’s 2003 Merlot Walla Walla Valley " TECHNICAL DATA <ul> <li>Total acidity 0.60 g/100ml</li> <li>pH 3.77</li> <li>Alcohol 14.4%</li> <li>Blend 84% Merlot, 12% Cabernet Sauvignon, 4% Cabernet Franc </li> </ul> <LI>SKU: 14830 Other products in the category <A HREF="http://store.northstarmerlot.com/Category2" TITLE="Northstar Wines">Northstar Wines</A>: <LI><A HREF=http://store.northstarmerlot.com/Product40 TITLE="2005 Northstar Merlot , Walla Walla">2005 Northstar Merlot , Walla Walla</A> -- 92 points - Wine Advocate "Leather and bright cherry flavors..." <LI><A HREF=http://store.northstarmerlot.com/Product41 TITLE="2003 Northstar Merlot , Walla Walla">2003 Northstar Merlot , Walla Walla</A> -- "Dusty malt, dried herbs and bright cherry flavors..." Current Club Selection <LI><A HREF=http://store.northstarmerlot.com/Product39 TITLE="2005 Northstar Merlot, Columbia Valley">2005 Northstar Merlot, Columbia Valley</A> -- "...aromas of cherry, plum, raspberry, and blackberry" <LI><A HREF=http://store.northstarmerlot.com/Product37 TITLE="2005 Northstar Cabernet Sauvignon, Columbia Valley">2005 Northstar Cabernet Sauvignon, Columbia Valley</A> -- "clean fragrances of violets and plums" <LI><A HREF=http://store.northstarmerlot.com/Product28 TITLE="2004 Northstar Cabernet Sauvignon">2004 Northstar Cabernet Sauvignon</A> -- "...fragrance of cassis, blackberry, raspberry boysenberry and plum" <LI><A HREF=http://store.northstarmerlot.com/Product34 TITLE="2005 Northstar Syrah, Columbia Valley">2005 Northstar Syrah, Columbia Valley</A> -- "robust on the palate with earthy, meaty cola flavors..." <LI><A HREF=http://store.northstarmerlot.com/Product42 TITLE="2006 Northstar Cabernet Franc">2006 Northstar Cabernet Franc</A> -- "...soft, elegant, and medium-bodied with bright red fruit..." Current Club Selection <LI><A HREF=http://store.northstarmerlot.com/Product35 TITLE="2005 Northstar Cabernet Franc, Walla Walla">2005 Northstar Cabernet Franc, Walla Walla</A> -- "velvety wine with hints of mint, chocolate, nutmeg..." <LI><A HREF=http://store.northstarmerlot.com/Product33 TITLE="2005 Northstar Petit Verdot">2005 Northstar Petit Verdot</A> -- "Black current and blackberry flavors follow on the full, rich palate." <LI><A HREF=http://store.northstarmerlot.com/Product36 TITLE="2006 Northstar Stella Blanca Semillon, Columbia Valley">2006 Northstar Stella Blanca Semillon, Columbia Valley</A> -- "lovely hints of tropical fruits, apple and lemon zest..." <LI><A HREF=http://store.northstarmerlot.com/Product38 TITLE="2005 Stella Maris, Columbia Valley">2005 Stella Maris, Columbia Valley</A> -- "aromatics of vanilla, cherry and raspberry..." <A HREF="http://store.northstarmerlot.com" TITLE="Northstar Winery Products">Northstar Winery Products</A> <A HREF="http://www.northstarmerlot.com">14 Hands Wine</A> <A HREF="http://www.northstarmerlot.com">Fourteen Hands</A> <A HREF="http://www.northstarmerlot.com">Washington Wine</A> <A HREF="http://www.northstarmerlot.com">Washington Merlot</A> <A HREF="http://www.northstarmerlot.com">Washington Cabernet Sauvignon</A> <A HREF="http://www.northstarmerlot.com">Washington Chardonnay</A> Northstar Winery <A HREF="http://www.nexternal.com" TITLE="ecommerce software">ecommerce software</A> powered by Nexternal


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