Baer Star Columbia Valley Merlot

Baer Star Columbia Valley Merlot 

Watching the latest binge worthy Series on Netflix, “Blindspot”, we grilled some hot dogs and also had left-over ribeye steak sandwiches. 

I pulled from the cellar this vintage red for an accompaniment. I acquired a half dozen of these several years ago and have been holding for such an occasion and was eager to taste.

At eight years old, this might be at it’s ‘Goldilock’s’ age, not too old and not too young, but just right, perhaps at the apex of its drinking window, able to age a few more years, but not likely to improve. 

Baer Star Columbia Valley Merlot 2017

This is from Winemaker Lance Baer, who founded Baer Winery in 2000 with the goal —“to bring something unique to Woodinville”. 

After years of working with some of the most prestigious wineries in the area, Lance wanted to take his winemaking skills in his own direction handcrafting blends distinctly his own. Iin April 2003 he released his signature blend, Ursa, a feminine expression of red wine, predominantly Merlot and Cabernet Franc. Next he released ‘Arctos’, a bolder Cabernet Sauvignon-based blend.

He expanded production from just 200 cases in 2003 to over 3,000 cases in 2007 when he moved Baer Winery moved into the popular warehouse wine complex near downtown Woodinville with plans to grow to 3,500 cases per year, continuing to increase to 5,000.

Sadly, never realized his dream passing away in 2007, at the age of 39. With the help and expertise of consulting winemaker Erica Orr, the Baer family, his sister Lisa and father Les,, carried on producing wines that Lance was devoted to creating, and adding add new blends to the winery’s line-up, including this Star Merlot.

Baer Star Columbia Valley Merlot 2017

This is sourced from Stillwater Creek Vineyard,  a 235 acre site on the Royal Slope of the Frenchman Hills in the Columbia Valley of Central Washington, on steep south-facing slopes at an 1300 feet elevation with a climate classified as warm but not excessively hot. 

The site was purchased by Thomas A. Alberg, Sr. In 1968, who suspected the land would make an excellent vineyard. It wasn’t until the the 1990’s that the Albergs gathered historical weather data to determine the site’s suitability for wine grapes.

The Alberg family began developing the vineyard planting a wide selection of premium vinifera grapes in 2000. That same year, Tom and his wife, Judi Beck, also founded Novelty Hill winery. 

Alberg was joined by his son, Tom, who served as managing director of the family entity through 2022 when it was taken over by his daughter, Katherine Anderson. Under the direction of acclaimed winemaker Mike Januik, Novelty Hill focuses on estate-grown wines. The remaining two-thirds of the vineyard’s grapes are sold to other top vintners in Washington State.

The Frenchman’s Hills site’s fractured rock and extreme southern exposure are ideal for reds, especially Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Syrah. White grapes are planted on a mixture of fractured rock and areas of fine sandy loam.

2010 label shown 

The climate see temperatures during the growing season with warm days and cool nights, allowing the Grapes to ripen fully under these conditions, enhanced by both hours of light per day during the summer and the total number of sunlight days from bud-break through harvest.

This release was produced by Lisa Baer and Woodinville winemaker Erica Orr. Production was 448 cases. This was a nice complement to the left over grilled beefsteaks. 

It was rated 90 points by Wine Enthusiast. 

Dark garnet colored, medium to full bodied, nicely balanced, soft plush round black berry and black raspberry fruits with notes of cassis, dark mocha, graphite and tangy spice with a lingering smooth tannin laced finish. 

 

RM 90 points. 

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