<H1>2005 Stella Maris, Columbia Valley -- Northstar Winery Shopping Cart</H1> <B>$29.00</B> -- <I>"aromatics of vanilla, cherry and raspberry..."</I> <P> <IMG SRC="https://store.nexternal.com/northstar/images/05_StellaMarisCV_lbl.gif" ALIGN=right ALT="2005 Stella Maris, Columbia Valley" NAME="2005 Stella Maris, Columbia Valley" BORDER=0 HSPACE=10> <b>Tasting Notes</b><p>&#8220;This medium-bodied, approachable wine opens with aromatics of vanilla, cherry and raspberry, along with leather and saddle notes. Concentrated fruit on the palate leads to a soft, smooth and supple toffee-almond finish."<br />-<em>David "Merf" Merfeld</em></p> <b>Vintage Overview</b><p>Warm summer months and a cool autumn yielded a record harvest for 2005. The growing season began with moderate winter temperatures, followed by a long and warm summer which allowed prolonged hang-time and resulted in fruit with deep, concentrated flavors and intense color.</p> <b>Vineyards</b><p>Diversity of vineyards and sub-appellations within the Columbia Valley are Northstar&#8217;s hallmarks. Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Syrah were sourced from the best vineyard sites within the Columbia Valley and Walla Walla Valley. Vines are 5 &#8722; 20 years old and yield grapes with concentrated varietal flavors of cherry and plum. Fruit from 12 different vineyard sites and 16 individual lots contributed to the blend.</p> <b>Winemaking</b><p>At harvest, grapes were destemmed and crushed leaving 25% whole berries intact. Lots were inoculated with Premier Cuv&#233;e yeast and fermented separately for five days with daily punch downs. The wine was racked into barrels for malolactic fermentation and aging. Lots were racked at three month intervals for clarity. The wine aged in 60% French and 40% American oak barrels with 65% new oak. The blend was created after 17 months in the barrel.</p> <strong>Technical Stats</strong><ul> <li>Total Acidity 0.56 g/100 ml</li> <li>pH 3.72</li> <li>Alcohol 14.5%</li> <li>Blend 77% Merlot, 16% Cabernet Sauvignon, 7% Syrah</li> </ul> </P> <P> <LI>SKU: 17662 </P> <P><B>Other products in the category <A HREF="http://store.northstarmerlot.com/Category2" TITLE="Northstar Wines">Northstar Wines</A>:</B> <BR clear=left><BR><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..." <BR clear=left><BR><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..."<br /><br />Current Club Selection <BR clear=left><BR><LI><A HREF=http://store.northstarmerlot.com/Product40 TITLE="2005 Northstar Merlot , Walla Walla">2005 Northstar Merlot , Walla Walla</A> -- <strong>92 points</strong> - <em>Wine Advocate</em><br /><br />"Leather and bright cherry flavors..." <BR clear=left><BR><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..." <BR clear=left><BR><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" <BR clear=left><BR><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" <BR clear=left><BR><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..."<br /><br />Current Club Selection <BR clear=left><BR><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..." <BR clear=left><BR><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." <BR clear=left><BR><LI><A HREF=http://store.northstarmerlot.com/Product32 TITLE="2004 Northstar Merlot, Columbia Valley">2004 Northstar Merlot, Columbia Valley</A> -- <strong>92 points</strong> - <em>Wine Enthusiast</em><br /><strong>91 points</strong> - <em>Wine Spectator</em><br /><strong>90 points</strong> - <em>Wine Advocate</em><br /><br />"...bold aromas of raspberry, mint, maple, chocolate, clove..." <BR clear=left><BR><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" </P> <BR clear=left><BR><P> <B>RELATED PRODUCTS</B> <BR clear=left><BR><LI><A HREF=http://store.northstarmerlot.com/Product36 TITLE="2006 Northstar Stella Blanca Semillon, Columbia Valley">2006 Northstar Stella Blanca Semillon, Columbia Valley</A></P> <BR clear=left><BR><P><A HREF="http://store.northstarmerlot.com" TITLE="Northstar Winery Products">Northstar Winery Products</A></P> <BR clear=left><BR><BR><BR><BR> <BR><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> <BR>Northstar Winery <A HREF="http://www.nexternal.com" TITLE="ecommerce software">ecommerce software</A> powered by Nexternal
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