Northstar Merlot 2008 for Casual Wine and Cheese Sipping

Northstar Merlot 2008 for Casual Wine and Cheese Sipping

For casual sipping wine with some cheese during the midweek, I pulled from the cellar this Northstar Columbia Valley Merlot. We've been drinking this label for more than a decade for reasonable QPR casual sipping for a Bordeaux varietal. We gained increased appreciation for labels such as this from our two trips to Washington State this summer where we explored and discovered several Bordeaux varietals from the Columbia Valley that provide high quality at reasonable prices relative to their California or Old World, French peers.

We passed by or near Northstar Winery during our recent Walla Walla Wine Experience 2018 and will definitely schedule a visit there on our next visit to the area. 

Northstar Columbia Valley Merlot 2008

According to my Cellartracker records for this label, we hold a dozen and half bottles from eight different vintages dating back to the milenium. I normally would pull from the older or oldest vintages in such cases for effective cellar vintage management. Tonight, I simply selected the label and pulled a bottle when I saw I still had multiple bottles from the vintage.

I opened several cheeses and crackers to accompany the wine and found the old aged sharp cheddar to go especially well, as well as he creamy havarti.

Tonight's tasting was fairly consistent with my last tasting note for this wine which was six years ago back in 2012, when I wrote:

"This 2008 is a bit tight and closed, not as smooth, polished and fruit filled as some earlier vintages of this wine that I remember - perhaps due to its age or period in its aging profile. This is medium to full bodied, with dark inky color, this is a bright, balanced wine with notes of black cherry, tobacco, spice box and nut leading to a long, smoky moderate tannin finish."

Tonight's rating, RM 88 points is consistent with what I gave it back at that time.

https://www.cellartracker.com/wine.asp?iWine=1210721

https://www.northstarwinery.com/

Northstar Columbia Valley Merlot 2004

Northstar Columbia Valley Merlot 2004

The question I get asked most often about wine is, what are good values in quality wines? Northstar Merlot is such a value. While many $20-25 wines of the millenium have since doubled or even tripled in price,  Northstar have maintained their price point resulting in a high QPR (quality price ratio) Bordeaux varietal.

I pulled this twelve year old from the cellar to taste with grilled steak dinner. As soon as I pulled the cork the room filled with bright berry fruit and floral aromas. Our Cellartracker records show we hold seven different vintages of this label from the era so it was a great surprise and joy when this greatly exceeded my expectations, rewarding me for the investment, and promising more pleasant drinking to come.


Northstar Columbia Valley Merlot 2004

Its hard to believe its been five years since my previous tasting of this wine was back in 2011 when I wrote, "Deep dark purple color - medium-full bodied - may be the most expressive Northstar I have had with full burst of black berry, plum and red currant flavors giving way to sweet oak, spice and subtle vanilla with nicely integrated firm but silky smooth tannins. Lots of fine sediment coats the empty bottle. Consistent notes with earlier tastings."

Such it was again tonight except I would add the floral aromatics perfume, the complexity was enhanced by nice balance and smooth silky tannins, highlighted by tones of anise and hints of mocha, much like a left bank Bordeaux, that was not recorded in earlier tastings.  It says a lot about the curve of the drinking window for this wine that seems to be outstanding in its twelfth year.

My 92 point rating for this wine is the highest on record for this label, and a great value at under $30 for a Bordeaux varietal. It also speaks much to the quality of such wines coming from the Columbia Valley in Washington State.

https://www.cellartracker.com/wine.asp?iWine=408341

https://www.northstarwinery.com/

Northstar Columbia Valley Merlot 2003

Northstar Columbia Valley Washington Merlot 2003

We've  been collecting this label since the early nineties and keep a half dozen or so vintages spanning a decade in the cellar. For Sunday dinner, Linda prepared spaghetti with fresh tomato sauce and meat balls, so I pulled the oldest vintage for which I had no published tasting note. Immediately upon opening the room filled with bright berry fruit aromas.

Dark purple/garnet plum colored, bright and vibrant, medium bodied, nicely balanced complex black cherry, accents of blackberry and black raspberry fruits, an initial touch of ripe fig gives way to tones of tobacco with hints of graphite, leather, spice and cedar on a long lingering modest soft tannin finish.

RM 89 points.

https://www.cellartracker.com/wine.asp?iWine=224608

https://www.northstarwinery.com/

Northstar Columbia Valley Merlot 2009

Northstar Columbia Valley Merlot 2009

According to my Wine Tasting Journal Index of US Northwest wines, we've enjoyed Northstar Columbia Valley Merlot and have published tasting notes since the 1995 vintage. We have a vertical collection of about ten vintages in the cellar, so we picked up the new 2009 release upon first sighting to try.  It is a blend of fruit sourced from a multitude off growers' 10 separate vineyards and 14 different blocks from vines averaging 15 years old .

Merlot is the core of Right Bank Bordeaux blends and on the Left Bank is a key component added to Cabernet Sauvignon for breadth and depth in the blend.

While not a fruit bomb, this was rich and concentrated black berry, black cherry and plum fruits with a layer of vanilla, mocha and hint of maple flavors on the finish. This is one of the more flavorful and expressive of Northstars in memory.

A bit softer and more approachable than bigger more structured Cabernet Sauvignons, Merlots such as this are pleasant easy drinking with artisan cheese, fruit and chocolate, and of course they also go great with grilled steak!

At a pricepoint of around $26-28, this represents a good value high QPR (quality price ratio) selection for drinking now through the next ten years. 

RM 89 points.

https://www.cellartracker.com/wine.asp?iWine=1481233

http://www.northstarwinery.com/ 

Varied Red Tasting - Carr - Flinders - Northstar

Former co-coach Mike G invited me to tourney quarterfinals so he and Chris came over for an impromptu wine tasting afterwards. We pulled a selection of varied big reds and a desert wine to accompany an assortment of artisan cheeses, smoked salmon, mixed nuts, mixed fruit and hearty biscuits and breads.

Joseph Carr Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 2009 

From the Carneros District down at the bottom of Napa Valley near where it meets Sonoma. Not as smooth or polished as the 2007 release but a great value none-the-less. A respectable Napa cab, with a great QPR (Quality Price Ratio) especially at a price point of about $17. The 2009 is a blend of Cabernet with small amount of Merlot and Cabernet Franc aged for 16-18 months in a combination of one- and two-year-old French and American oak barrels. Medium bodied, dark garnet colored, aromas and flavors of cherry, blackberry and black currant fruits, a layer of smoke and leather scents open to a focused core of cassis, black cherry and plum fruit with hints of vanilla bean, clove and cocoa powder. Moderately firm tannins with supporting acidity gives the wine freshness not often seen in wines at this price.  

RM 87 points. 

https://www.cellartracker.com/wine.asp?iWine=1174540

Flinders Run Southern Flinders Ranges Shiraz 2006

We love this wine and consider it a benchmark representation of Southern Australian Shiraz at its very best, and at a pricepoint between $25-30 it offers a relative great QPR (Quality to Price ratio).

Overall hit of this comparison tasting of varied big reds. Consistent with earlier notes, the 2006 Flinders is dark inky purple, full bodied, powerfully scented bouquet of dark berries, smoky minerals and fresh flowers bursting with flavors of thick chewy black raspberry, blueberry and cassis with layers of nut, vanilla and hints of mocha flavors on a tongue coating lingering finish. As much as we like this wine, the 2005 is even better.

RM 93 points. 

https://www.cellartracker.com/wine.asp?iWine=579974




Northstar Columbia Valley Merlot 2008

One of our perennial favorite Merlots is this blend from fruit sourced from over 14 separate vineyards and 18 different blocks  from vines averaging 15 years old yielding grapes with concentrated varietal flavors of cherry and plum with elegant tannins.

This 2008 is a bit tight and closed, not as smooth, polished and fruit filled as some earlier vintages of this wine that I remember - perhaps due to its age or period in its aging profile. This is medium to full bodied, with dark inky color, this is a bright, balanced wine with notes of black cherry, tobacco, spice box and nut leading to a long, smoky moderate tannin finish.

 RM 88 points.

https://www.cellartracker.com/wine.asp?iWine=1210721

http://www.northstarwinery.com/

Cavalchina Bianco Del Veneto Passito 2004

Full bodied and thick - the butter color has turned to an orange rust color already, the muted fruit flavors of apple, subtle tangerine, apricot and peach are overtaken by smoke, leather, nut and lemon peel on a moderate flavorful lingering finish.

RM 84 points. 

https://www.cellartracker.com/wine.asp?iWine=436980

Northstar Columbia Valley Merlot 2008

Northstar Columbia Valley Merlot 2008

Following yesterday's tasting of the 2007 Northstar Coumbia Valley Merlot, I went back to Binny's (the Chicagoland beverage super store) to buy more of this closeout vintage. Not until I got up to the checkout did I realize I had the 2008 release.This afforded the opportunity to extend our vertical another year (Northstar Journal Notes Index), but more fortuitously, to conduct a comparison tasting since I still had half a bottle remaining from the previous evening.

The Northstar Columbia Valley Merlot 2008 exhibited much the same consistent  characteristics of the earlier vintages - inky purple color, forward black fruits, full bodied, firm tannins,  and it also had a tone of slight astringency indicative of its youth. The 2008 did not possess that sweetness of the tones of the toffee chocolate layer of the 2007, but it did finish with the layer of lingering oak and spice. I give the '08 a rating of 91 points, consistent with many years, but falling off one point from what I considered the exception 2007.

https://www.cellartracker.com/wine.asp?iWine=1210721

 http://www.northstarwinery.com/

Northstar Columbia Valley Merlot 2007

Northstar Columbia Valley Merlot 2007


We've been enjoying Northstar Columbia Valley Merlot since the 1995 vintage (see Journal Notes Index), it is one of our consistent perennial favorite wines, the 2007 Columbia Valley Northstar Merlot does it again and is among the best we've tasted.

Inky purple color, full bodied, concentrated, bright and vibrant, aromas and flavors of plum and black fruits accented by a predominant layer of chocolate and toffee. A slight astringency that will likely burn off with some age gives way to firm tannins on a lingering finish of oak and spice.

Winemaker's notes sum it up well - "Concentrated yet elegant, transparent dark ruby color; lovely nose of dark fruit, some vanilla, and chocolate; rich, concentrated but controlled dark fruit (blackberries, purple plums), a savory note, a touch of spearmint, lots of sweet chocolate, and seriously crunchy tannins for balance; long, tangy, tannic finish, with tobacco, ending finally with blackberries and plums."

This could easily pass for a Napa Cabernet Sauvignon with its complexity, big forward fruit and firm backbone of tannins - this is not a wimpy merlot. wine. Reminiscent of earlier Northstars at their best. Perfect compliment and stood up very well indeed to a beef tenderloin au poivre dinner with sweet corn, twice baked potato and a double chocolate desert.

This wine used to be priced in the $40 range and in recent years has been available at $30 resulting in this wine being a good value with a high QPR (quality to price ratio).

Blend of 75% Merlot, 20% Cabernet Sauvignon, and 5% Petit Verdot.  

RM 92 points.  Wine Advocate 92 points, Wine Spectator 91 points.

https://www.cellartracker.com/wine.asp?iWine=962258

http://www.northstarwinery.com/

P.S. This was so good I went back to buy more and found the 2008 vintage in its place. Check out the follow-on comparison tasting of the Northstar Columbia Valley Merlot 2008 compared to this 2007.

Christmas Movie Wine Night In - Merlot and Shiraz

 Christmas Movie Wine Night In

Fun festive relaxing night in front of the fire with L and Mary Lou watching Christmas movies and sipping some tasty juice with sliced pears, blueberry infused goat cheese, ementheler and brie. Mary Lou likes Merlot while Linda prefers big rich ripe Shiraz. 

Northstar Columbia Valley Merlot 2001

Medium bodied and soft, this ten year old is showing its age a bit as the dark purple color is taking on a slight brownish rust color and the black berry and black cherry fruit flavors are giving way to leather and an olive tapenade tone.


RM 87 points.


https://www.cellartracker.com/wine.asp?iWine=25832

HazyBlur The Baroota Shiraz 2006

Dark inky color, big, firm and full bodied, rich thick tongue coating, super ripe raisin fig fruits, hints of cedar, pepper, violets, and blueberry. This is too ripe and raisiny for my tastes but the bride likes it this way - and so does Wine Advocate who gives it a 91.

RM 91 points. 

https://www.cellartracker.com/wine.asp?iWine=730925

Tasting Journal - Northstar Columbia Valley Merlot 2006 - Elisabeth Chambellan Vielles Vignes Chateauneuf-Du-Pape 2007

Northstar Columbia Valley Merlot 2006 

Medium to full-bodied, dark garnet color - forward fruit, complex but polished for easy pleasant drinking - rich concentrated fruit flavors of black raspberry, blackberry, hints of black cherry and plum with tones of spicy clove, cinnamon cigar box and a hint of black chocolate on the nicely balanced moderate silky tannin finish. This is the most flavorful and polished Northstar in many years, reminiscent of the mid-nineties. RM 91 Points. 

The 2006 Merlot Columbia Valley is 76% Merlot, 19% Cabernet Sauvignon, and the balance Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot - aged in French and American oak, 65% new, for 18 months. The fruit was sourced from 14 different vineyards.

Tasted at Petits Plats at Woodley Park in Washington D.C. w/ George N - a perfect complement to the beef borgogne and the dark chocolate supreme. Fantastic cozy atmosphere, best foie gras ever, wonderful chocolate desert, great value authentic country French dining.

Northstar Columbia Valley Merlot 2006

Second wine tasted w/ dinner:

Elisabeth Chambellan Vielles Vignes Chateauneuf-Du-Pape 2007

Ruby colored - medium bodied - black cherry, redcurrants, red berries and hint of licorice and leather on the moderate tannin medium finish. RM 88 points.

Columbia Valley 2004 Horizontal Red Wine Tasting

Perfect example of a horizontal tasting - three varied but complementary wines from the same region and same vintage - each mapping and highlighted perfectly with artisan cheeses and a dinner course. Listed in tasting order from lightest and simplest to heavier, more complex.Tasted at home w/ L, Mark & Shirley.

Northstar Merlot Columbia Valley 2004 - http://cellartracker.com/w?408341 - RM 91 points: Deep dark purple color - medium-full bodied - may be the most expressive Northstar I have had with full burst of black berry, plum and red currant flavors giving way to sweet oak, spice and subtle vanilla with nicely integrated firm but silky smooth tannins. Lots of fine sediment coats the empty bottle. Consistent notes with earlier tastings.

Mapped well w/ soft cows milk cheese and the twiced baked potato.

Spring Valley Vineyard Uriah Walla Walla Columbia Valley Red Wine blend 2004 - http://cellartracker.com/w?215438 - RM 89 points: Slightly brownish color, perfect cork, medium bodied - initial front of black pepper disappeared after twenty minutes - subtle black cherry and red berry fruits were diminished from last tasting a year ago giving way to hint of anise, slight mocha and leather with a moderate tannin finish.
Blend of 60% Merlot, 31% Cabernet Franc, 5% Cabernet Sauvignon, and 4% Petit Verdot.

Mapped well with the Madam Chevre cheese course, and bacon infused green beans.

 Spring Valley Vineyard Walla Walla Columbia Valley Frederick red Bordeaux blend 2004 -  http://cellartracker.com/w?7267 -  RM 92 points - Better than earlier vintages (2002-03) I have tasted of this wine - full bodied, dark inky color - big, firm, complex, brooding dark berry - blackberry & black raspberry fruit flavors, tones of cassis, spice, lead pencil - firm but smooth polished tannins on a full lingering finish. Blend of 59% Cabernet Sauvignon, 24% Merlot, 12% Cabernet Franc, and 5% Petit Verdot.

Perfect complement to hearty blue cheese, toasted herb bread and the steak course.