<H1>2003 Northstar Merlot , Walla Walla -- Northstar Winery Shopping Cart</H1>
<B>$60.00</B>
-- <I><b>92 points</b> -<i>Wine Advocate</i><Br><b>91 points</b>-<i>Wine Spectator</i></I>
<P>
<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>
<p><b>Tasting Notes</b> <br />Dusty malt, dried herbs and bright cherry flavors are balanced well into this smoothly-structured wine that concludes with a supple, lingering finish. </p>
<p><b>Vineyards</b> </p>
<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>
<p> </p>
<p><b>Winemaking</b> </p>
<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>
<p> </p>
<p><b>Vintage Overview</b> </p>
<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>
<p> </p>
<p><b>Acclaim</b> <br /><b>92 points</b> -<i>Wine Advocate</i> <br />"...I loved Northstar’s 2003 Merlot Walla Walla Valley " </p>
<p><b>TECHNICAL DATA</b> </p>
<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>
</P>
<P>
<LI>SKU: 14830
</P>
<P><B>Other products in the category <A HREF="http://store.northstarmerlot.com/Category2" TITLE="All Wines">All Wines</A>:</B>
<BR clear=left><BR><LI><A HREF=http://store.northstarmerlot.com/Product48 TITLE="2006 Northstar Merlot , Walla Walla">2006 Northstar Merlot , Walla Walla</A> -- "Blackberry and bright cherry flavors are balanced into this satiny smooth, well structured Merlot..."
<BR clear=left><BR><LI><A HREF=http://store.northstarmerlot.com/Product50 TITLE="2006 Northstar Stella Maris, Columbia Valley">2006 Northstar Stella Maris, Columbia Valley</A> -- "This medium-bodied, approachable wine opens with aromatics of blueberry and raspberry. "
<BR clear=left><BR><LI><A HREF=http://store.northstarmerlot.com/Product49 TITLE="2006 Northstar Syrah, Columbia Valley">2006 Northstar Syrah, Columbia Valley</A> -- "Fullbodied, lush and robust on the palate with a long finish."
<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/Product41 TITLE="2003 Northstar Merlot , Walla Walla">2003 Northstar Merlot , Walla Walla</A> -- "Dusty malt, dried herbs and bright cherry flavors..."
<BR clear=left><BR><LI><A HREF=http://store.northstarmerlot.com/Product46 TITLE="2006 Northstar Merlot , Columbia Valley">2006 Northstar Merlot , Columbia Valley</A> -- "aromas of cherry, plum, raspberry, and blackberry, finishing off with flavors of toasted oak, vanilla, coconut, mint, and toffee."
<BR clear=left><BR><LI><A HREF=http://store.northstarmerlot.com/Product47 TITLE="2000 Northstar Merlot , Columbia Valley">2000 Northstar Merlot , Columbia Valley</A> -- "Big structure with smooth tannins and beautiful oak flavors in the finish."<br /><br />Current Club Selection
<BR clear=left><BR><LI><A HREF=http://store.northstarmerlot.com/Product43 TITLE="2006 Northstar Cabernet Sauvignon , Columbia Valley">2006 Northstar Cabernet Sauvignon , Columbia Valley</A> -- "This rich, fruity, dark, full-bodied wine leads with cherry 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/Product44 TITLE="2006 Northstar Petit Verdot, Columbia Valley">2006 Northstar Petit Verdot, Columbia Valley</A> -- "Floral, earthy, and chocolate aromas along with dark fruits and coconut lead into the full, rich palate."
<BR clear=left><BR><LI><A HREF=http://store.northstarmerlot.com/Product42 TITLE="2006 Northstar Cabernet Franc, Walla Walla">2006 Northstar Cabernet Franc, Walla Walla</A> -- "...soft, elegant, and medium-bodied with bright red fruit..."
<BR clear=left><BR><LI><A HREF=http://store.northstarmerlot.com/Product45 TITLE="2008 Northstar Stella Blanca, Columbia Valley">2008 Northstar Stella Blanca, Columbia Valley</A> -- "...lovely hints of tropical fruits, apple and lemon zest, and the elegance of a fruit tart with its classic pastry cream filling"
<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..."
</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
