2005 Northstar Merlot , Walla Walla -- Northstar Winery Shopping Cart
$50.00
-- 92 points - Wine Advocate
"Leather and bright cherry flavors..."
Tasting Notes
Leather and bright cherry flavors are balanced well into this satiny smooth, well structured Merlot that concludes with a supple, lingering finish. – David “Merf” Merfeld, Winemaker
Vintage Overview
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.
Vineyards
Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon from some of Walla Walla’s best vineyard sites are showcased in this, Northstar’s flagship wine. 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 was then racked into barrels to undergo malolactic
fermentation. Racking occurred every three months for clarity during the 17-month aging process. The barrel regime included 80% French and 20% American oak, with 80% new barrels. The final blend consists of fruit from 8 distinct vineyard blocks.
TECHNICAL DATA
- Total acidity 0.58 g/100ml
- pH 3.73
- Alcohol 14.4%
- Blend 80% Merlot, 16% Cabernet Sauvignon, 4% Petit Verdot
SKU: 18957
Other products in the category Northstar Wines:
2003 Northstar Merlot , Walla Walla -- "Dusty malt, dried herbs and bright cherry flavors..."
2006 Northstar Cabernet Sauvignon , Columbia Valley -- "This rich, fruity, dark, full-bodied wine leads with cherry flavors..."
2006 Northstar Merlot , Columbia Valley -- "aromas of cherry, plum, raspberry, and blackberry, finishing off with flavors of toasted oak, vanilla, coconut, mint, and toffee."
Current Club Selection
2008 Northstar Stella Blanca, Columbia Valley -- "...lovely hints of tropical fruits, apple and lemon zest, and the elegance of a fruit tart with its classic pastry cream filling"
Current Club Selection
2005 Northstar Merlot, Columbia Valley -- "...aromas of cherry, plum, raspberry, and blackberry"
2005 Northstar Cabernet Sauvignon, Columbia Valley -- "clean fragrances of violets and plums"
2004 Northstar Cabernet Sauvignon -- "...fragrance of cassis, blackberry, raspberry boysenberry and plum"
2005 Northstar Syrah, Columbia Valley -- "robust on the palate with earthy, meaty cola flavors..."
2006 Northstar Cabernet Franc -- "...soft, elegant, and medium-bodied with bright red fruit..."
2006 Northstar Petit Verdot -- "Floral, earthy, and chocolate aromas along with dark fruits and coconut lead into the full, rich palate."
2005 Northstar Cabernet Franc, Walla Walla -- "velvety wine with hints of mint, chocolate, nutmeg..."
2005 Northstar Petit Verdot -- "Black current and blackberry flavors follow on the full, rich palate."
2006 Northstar Stella Blanca Semillon, Columbia Valley -- "lovely hints of tropical fruits, apple and lemon zest..."
2005 Stella Maris, Columbia Valley -- "aromatics of vanilla, cherry and raspberry..."
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