Northstar Merlot - One of the Best Merlot Producers on Earth!

"I've always been impressed by Washington State merlot. It just sort of jumped out of the glass at me...You just feel this is right: this is not an attempt at something, this is something." - Jancis Robinson

It's the end of the fiscal year for some of the big wine companies and that means "Stupid Deal" time and we love to get a deal on a wine that we already love and most of you who have been following our handy work know that I love the wines of Washington State.  What most people don't know is that they make some of the best merlot in the United States in the Columbia Valley Washington. 

All right don't give me a hard time about Merlot as this is one of the few red grape varietals that can be made into a world class wine.  This varietal has a bad rap because of the ocean of thin and insipid wines that are produced under this moniker in California.  Truth be told some of the greatest, longest lived and most expensive wines of Bordeaux are made almost exclusively with this varietal- ie. the famous Chateau Petrus from Pomerol.

Truth be told there are only a few places on earth that produce outstanding Merlot.  Of course you have St. Emilion and Pomerol in France.  Then we make great merlot in Napa, Sonoma and Paso Robles in California.  In Italy they also produce outstanding Merlot in Tuscany.  But that is about it!  Merlot may be even more finicky than Pinot Noir!

Washington state wineries have become very well known for their Merlot over the last two decades and one of the premier wineries for this varietal is Northstar.  Northstar's first release was from the 1994 vintage and the winery focuses on producing wines solely from Merlot and have both a Walla Walla and a Columbia Valley cuvee.  Once again this year the Columbia Valley wine is one of the best Merlots that have come across my desk and has made my pick for "Best Domestic Merlot" and we just got a deal enabling us to give you our wine drinking people the best price in the country on this wine!!!

Northstar - The Best Merlot Producer in the U.S.?

2020 Northstar Merlot Columbia Valley
Suggested Retail $45      Sale $25            
A blend of 81% Merlot and 19% Cabernet Sauvignon this 2020 vintage has a dark color and lots of black plum, black raspberry, dark cherry berry fruit dark chocolate, espresso, cigar box spice, cedar, lovely complexity on the nose, a classic textbook Merlot blend.  Smooth and silky on the tongue with layers of plum and berry fruit with lovely richness and depth of flavors, the finish goes on and on with an array of spice, fresh earth, fine herbs and nice hand of acidity keeping this wine fresh through the finish, very well built and should last for a decade or more in your cellar.  Finish 40+.  Excellent

Vintage Notes:

Slightly warmer than average winter temperatures proceeding the 2020 growing season resulted in little to no vine damage with normal bud break.
Warm spring temperatures created excellent conditions for canopy growth and early fruit development.
A mild summer with very few periods of excessive heat and cooler fall temperatures created ideal conditions for developing beautiful fruit flavors and aromas.

Vineyards

Winemaker David “Merf” Merfeld works closely with each grower to achieve specific fruit quality and yield parameters.
Fruit from four vineyards and eight different blocks contributed to the blend.  Merlot was sourced from Four Feathers, Beverly, James, and Cold Creek vineyards. Cold Creek Cabernet Sauvignon rounded out the blend.

A bit of info on Northstar:

Northstar, located in Walla Walla, Washington, aims to make Merlots that can be considered among the world’s best, using fruit sourced from one of the world’s best regions for Merlot: Washington State.

Merlot is the best selling red grape variety in America.  Merlot-based wines from Bordeaux’s Pomerol region are generally the most expensive and sought-after wines in the world.  Blending New World fruit with an Old World winemaking style, influenced by Bordeaux’s "right bank," Northstar creates Merlots that are among the most highly acclaimed in the world.

David "Merf" Merfeld is Northstar’s winemaker and has been at Northstar since 2001. Famed California winemaker Jed Steele, Northstar’s consulting winemaker, has been involved with the winery since its first vintage in 1994.

Vineyard diversity is one of the keys to Northstar’s success.  For any given vintage, nearly two dozen unique vineyard blocks from around the Columbia Valley are sourced, with a dozen or so making it through the rigorous selection process into the final blend.  The majority of these vineyards are over 15 years old (vine maturity is important for Merlot and Cabernet grapes) and are farmed to our winemaking team’s specifications.

Northstar produces three wines: their flagship Columbia Valley Merlot; the limited production Walla Walla Merlot, which showcases local vineyards; and Stella Maris, a Columbia Valley red wine blended from wines made for Northstar Merlot but ultimately not selected for the final blend due to stylistic considerations.

Vineyards

Some of their Merlot is grown in Washington state’s Columbia Valley on the eastern side of the state. Summer daytime temperatures are quite warm - typically in the high 80s. Nighttime temperatures are cool. This protects the natural acidity in the wine and gives the grapes extra time on the vine to develop more complexity. Rainfall is limited to 6-8 inches annually, due in large measure to the vast Cascade Mountain range that shields Northstar's vineyards from Seattle’s famous inclement weather. Their vineyard managers have the luxury of using irrigation as a tool to "stress" the vine, which in turn boosts flavor in the grapes.

Diversity of vineyards and sub-appellations within the Columbia Valley are Northstar’s hallmarks. Fruit is selected from the very best possible sources throughout the Columbia Valley. The Northstar team works closely with each grower to achieve specific fruit quality and yield parameters. Vines are an average of 15 years old and yield grapes with concentrated varietal flavors of cherry and plum with elegant tannins. Fruit from over 8 separate vineyards and 10 different blocks contributed to this 2004 blend.

Winemaking

At harvest, grapes were destemmed and crushed with 40% whole berries remaining, then fermented on the skins for 5-7 days with daily punch downs.
The wine was placed into 100% French oak - 34% new barrels - where it underwent malolactic fermentation.
The wine aged for 20 months with racking occurring at three month intervals.

 The rest of the Washington State Merlot in the store on SALE!!

 2020 LEONETTI MERLOT COLUMBIA VALLEY
Price: $122.00                 Your Price: $107.36              Quantity in Stock: 1
2019 JANUIK MERLOT COLUMBIA VALLEY
Price: $28.25                   Your Price: $24.86              Quantity in Stock: 1
2018 PEPPER BRIDGE MERLOT COLUMBIA VALLEY
Price: $63.00                   Your Price: $55.44              Quantity in Stock: 7
2017 PEPPER BRIDGE MERLOT COLUMBIA VALLEY
Price: $63.00                   Your Price: $55.44              Quantity in Stock: 1
1994 APEX MERLOT COLUMBIA VALLEY
Price: $45.00                   Your Price: $39.60              Quantity in Stock: 12

California

2021 CHARLES KRUG MERLOT NAPA, USA
Price: $28.50                   Your Price: $25.08              Quantity in Stock: 35
2021 PLUMPJACK MERLOT NAPA
Price: $82.50                   Your Price: $72.60              Quantity in Stock: 9
2020 DUCKHORN MERLOT THREE PALMS NAPA
Price: $131.25                 Your Price: $115.50              Quantity in Stock: 4
2020 DUCKHORN MERLOT NAPA
Price: $45.00                   Your Price: $39.60              Quantity in Stock: 1
2020 ROBERT HALL WINERY MERLOT PASO ROBLES
Price: $15.00                   Your Price: $13.20              Quantity in Stock: 4
2019 DAOU MERLOT RESERVE SEQUENTIS PASO ROBLES
Price: $37.50                   Your Price: $33.00              Quantity in Stock: 4
2019 FREEMARK ABBEY MERLOT NAPA
Price: $45.00                   Your Price: $39.60              Quantity in Stock: 5
2019 HENDRY VINEYARDS MERLOT NAPA VALLEY
Price: $51.00                   Your Price: $44.88              Quantity in Stock: 9
2018 ACRE MERLOT NAPA VALLEY
Price: $42.00                   Your Price: $36.96              Quantity in Stock: 8
2018 KEENAN MERLOT RESERVE MAILBOX VINEYARD SPRING MOUNTAIN DISTRICT
Price: $85.00                   Your Price: $74.80              Quantity in Stock: 9
2018 ARIETTA 'H BLOCK HUDSON VINEYARDS' CABERNET FRANC - MERLOT, NAPA VALLEY
Price: $150.00                 Your Price: $132.00              Quantity in Stock: 13
2018 PRIDE MOUNTAIN VINEYARDS MERLOT MAGNUM 1.5L
Price: $150.75                 Your Price: $132.66              Quantity in Stock: 3
2018 LA JOTA MERLOT HOWELL MOUNTAIN NAPA
Price: $112.50                 Your Price: $99.00              Quantity in Stock: 7
2018 SEAVEY MERLOT NAPA
Price: $95.00                   Your Price: $83.60              Quantity in Stock: 9
2017 SEAVEY MERLOT NAPA
Price: $95.00                   Your Price: $83.60              Quantity in Stock: 9
2017 JOSH MERLOT CALIFORNIA
Price: $15.75                   Your Price: $13.86              Quantity in Stock: 7
2016 BUCCELLA MERLOT NAPA
Price: $159.00                 Your Price: $139.92              Quantity in Stock: 3
2016 LARRY HYDE VINEYARD ESTATES MERLOT CARNEROS
Price: $88.50                   Your Price: $77.88              Quantity in Stock: 4
2016 MOUNT BRAVE MERLOT MOUNT VEEDER NAPA
Price: $82.50                   Your Price: $72.60              Quantity in Stock: 6
2015 CONSTANT DIAMOND MOUNTAIN VINEYARDS MERLOT NAPA
Price: $120.00                 Sale Price: $95.00              Quantity in Stock: 4
2014 PRIDE MOUNTAIN VINEYARDS VINTNER SELECT MERLOT SONOMA COUNTY
Price: $98.00                   Your Price: $86.24              Quantity in Stock: 2
2013 CONSTANT DIAMOND MOUNTAIN VINEYARDS MERLOT NAPA
Price: $120.00                 Sale Price: $95.00              Quantity in Stock: 8
2013 FERRARI CARANO MERLOT SONOMA
Price: $25.00                   Your Price: $22.00              Quantity in Stock: 2
2012 CONSTANT DIAMOND MOUNTAIN VINEYARDS MERLOT NAPA
Price: $120.00                 Sale Price: $95.00              Quantity in Stock: 3
2011 CONSTANT DIAMOND MOUNTAIN VINEYARDS MERLOT NAPA
Price: $120.00                 Sale Price: $95.00              Quantity in Stock: 4
2010 PRIDE MOUNTAIN VINEYARDS VINTNER SELECT MERLOT SONOMA COUNTY
Price: $107.00                 Sale Price: $89.00              Quantity in Stock: 3
2010 STAGS' LEAP WINERY MERLOT NAPA
Price: $35.00                   Your Price: $30.80              Quantity in Stock: 4
2009 PRIDE MOUNTAIN VINEYARDS VINTNER SELECT MERLOT SONOMA COUNTY
Price: $107.00                 Sale Price: $89.00              Quantity in Stock: 3
2008 PRIDE MOUNTAIN VINEYARDS VINTNER SELECT MERLOT SONOMA COUNTY
Price: $107.00                 Sale Price: $89.00              Quantity in Stock: 3
2007 PRIDE MOUNTAIN VINEYARDS VINTNER SELECT MERLOT SONOMA COUNTY
Price: $107.00                 Sale Price: $89.0              Quantity in Stock: 2
2003 DUCKHORN VINEYARDS MERLOT THREE PALMS VINEYARD NAPA MAGNUM
Price: $325.00                 Sale Price: $250.00              Quantity in Stock: 1
2003 PRIDE MOUNTAIN VINEYARDS MERLOT CALIFORNIA
Price: $95.00                   Sale Price: $74.00              Quantity in Stock: 1
2002 MERRYVALE BECKSTOFFER LAS AMIGAS VINEYARD MERLOT CARNEROS
Price: $79.00                   Sale Price: $59.00              Quantity in Stock: 8
2002 BLANKIET ESTATE MERLOT PARADISE HILLS VINEYARD
Price: $165.00                 Sale Price: $125.00              Quantity in Stock: 4
2001 BLAIR ESTATE CABERNET SAUVIGNON - CABERNET FRANC - MERLOT
Price: $79.00                   Sale Price: $69.52              Quantity in Stock: 3
1999 ST FRANCIS MERLOT SONOMA MAGNUM
Price: $99.00                   Sale Price: $79.00              Quantity in Stock: 1
1999 ST. FRANCIS BEHLER RESERVE MERLOT, SONOMA VALLEY
Price: $45.00                   Sale Price: $35.00              Quantity in Stock: 1
1998 CLOS DU BOIS MERLOT SONOMA
Price: $30.00                   Your Price: $26.40              Quantity in Stock: 9
1998 DUCKHORN MERLOT NAPA
Price: $115.00                 Your Price: $101.20              Quantity in Stock: 9
1997 FERRARI CARANO MERLOT SONOMA
Price: $35.00                   Your Price: $30.80              Quantity in Stock: 1
1997 ST. FRANCIS MERLOT RESERVE SONOMA
Price: $49.00                   Your Price: $43.12              Quantity in Stock: 1
1996 ST. FRANCIS MERLOT RESERVE SONOMA
Price: $49.00                   Sale Price: $39.00              Quantity in Stock: 1
1995 DUCKHORN MERLOT HOWELL MOUNTAIN NAPA
Price: $175.00                 Sale Price: $135.00              Quantity in Stock: 11

Italian

2020 TENUTA ORNELLAIA MASSETO TUSCANY
Price: $967.50                 Your Price: $851.40              Quantity in Stock: 6
2019 TENUTA ORNELLAIA MASSETO TUSCANY
Price: $995.00                 Your Price: $875.60              Quantity in Stock: 3
2019 AVIGNONESI DESIDERIO MERLOT TUSCANY
Price: $57.00                   Your Price: $50.16              Quantity in Stock: 6
2018 TENUTA SAN GIUSTO A RENTENNANO MERLOT TOSCANA LA RICOLMA
Price: $375.00                 Your Price: $330.00              Quantity in Stock: 3
2016 TENUTA DELL ORNELLAIA MASSETO TUSCANY 3 LITER
Price: $4950.00               Your Price: $4356.00              Quantity in Stock: 1
2016 SCARBOLO MERLOT FRUILI
Price: $19.75                   Your Price: $17.38              Quantity in Stock: 2
2015 PLANETA MERLOT SITO DELL ULMO
Price: $42.00                   Your Price: $36.96              Quantity in Stock: 3
2014 TENUTA SAN GIUSTO A RENTENNANO MERLOT TOSCANA LA RICOLMA
Price: $247.50                 Your Price: $217.80              Quantity in Stock: 1
2007 CASTELLO DELLE REGINE MERLOT UMBRIA
Price: $53.25                   Your Price: $46.86              Quantity in Stock: 6
2002 WEINGUT UNTERMOSERHOF RAMOSER MERLOT SÜDTIROLER
Price: $45.00                   Your Price: $39.60              Quantity in Stock: 2
1998 TENUTA ORNELLAIA MASSETO TUSCANY MAGNUM
Price: $3655.00               Sale Price: $3109.00              Quantity in Stock: 1

St. Emilion

2019 CHATEAU LA GRAVE FIGEAC GRAND CRU SAINT EMILION, FRANCE
Price: $65.00                   Sale Price: $47.50              Quantity in Stock: 51
2020 CLOS MAGNE FIGEAC ST EMILION
Price: $24.00     Your Price: $21.12          Quantity in Stock: 9
2019 QUINAULT L'ENCLOS ST. EMILION
Price: $60.00                   Your Price: $52.80              Quantity in Stock: 5
2018 CHATEAU TROPLONG MONDOT SAINT EMILION
Price: $155.00                 Your Price: $136.40              Quantity in Stock: 7
2018 CHATEAU HAUT BRISSON SAINT EMILION GRAND CRU
Price: $49.00                   Sale Price: $39.00              Quantity in Stock: 1
2018 CHATEAU FLEUR CARDINALE SAINT EMILION GRAND CRU MAGNUM EDITION HARD ROCK
Price: $225.00                 Your Price: $198.00              Quantity in Stock: 3
2017 CHATEAU PUY BLANQUET SAINT EMILION
Price: $35.00                   Your Price: $30.80              Quantity in Stock: 7
2016 CHATEAU ANGELUS ST. EMILION
Price: $615.00                 Your Price: $541.20              Quantity in Stock: 5
2016 CHATEAU DES LAURETS ST EMILION PUISSEGUIN
Price: $42.00                   Your Price: $36.96              Quantity in Stock: 1
2016 CHATEAU SIMARD SAINT-EMILION GRAND CRU
Price: $42.00                   Your Price: $36.96              Quantity in Stock: 12
2015 FAIT MAIN TODESCHINI ASTERIA VINEYARDS SAINT EMILION GRAND CRU
Price: $235.00                 Your Price: $206.80              Quantity in Stock: 6
2012 CHATEAU CHEVAL BLANC, SAINT-EMILION, FRANCE
Price: $987.00                 Your Price: $868.56              Quantity in Stock: 2
2011 CHATEAU ANGELUS ST EMILION
Price: $637.50                 Sale Price: $561.00              Quantity in Stock: 5
2010 CHATEAU LA GRANDE CLOTTE LUSSAC-SAINT-EMILION BLANC
Price: $27.00                   Your Price: $23.76              Quantity in Stock: 24
2009 CHATEAU CHEVAL BLANC, ST EMILION, FRANCE
Price: $1795.00               Your Price: $1579.60              Quantity in Stock: 3
2009 LE DOME SAINT-EMILION GRAND CRU
Price: $335.00                 Your Price: $294.80              Quantity in Stock: 1
2006 CHATEAU BELLEVUE MONDOTTE SAINT EMILION GRAND CRU
Price: $240.00                 Sale Price: $199.00              Quantity in Stock: 1
2005 CHATEAU LARCIS DUCASSE SAINT EMILION
Price: $395.00                 Sale Price: $335.00              Quantity in Stock: 1
2005 CHATEAU PAVIE ST EMILION, FRANCE
Price: $695.00                 Sale Price: $525.00              Quantity in Stock: 1
2003 CHATEAU PAVIE ST EMILION
Price: $495.00                 Sale Price: $395.00              Quantity in Stock: 1
2003 CHATEAU CHEVAL BLANC ST. EMILION, FRANCE
Price: $1080.00               Your Price: $950.40              Quantity in Stock: 6
2002 ORIEL L'EXCEPTION SAINT-EMILION, FRANCE
Price: $145.00                 Your Price: $127.60              Quantity in Stock: 3
2001 CHATEAU AUSONE SAINT EMILION
Price: $1200.00               Sale Price: $995.00              Quantity in Stock: 5
2001 CHATEAU PAVIE ST EMILION
Price: $450.00                 Sale Price: $350.00              Quantity in Stock: 2
2000 CHATEAU TROPLONG MONDOT ST. EMILION
Price: $250.00                 Sale Price: $195.00              Quantity in Stock: 1
2000 CHATEAU LA CLUSIERE SAINT EMILION GRAND CRU
Price: $1600.00               Sale Price: $1275.00              Quantity in Stock: 1
2000 CHATEAU AUSONE SAINT EMILION
Price: $1900.00               Sale Price: $1460.00              Quantity in Stock: 1
1990 CHATEAU FIGEAC, SAINT-EMILION GRAND CRU, FRANCE
Price: $495.00                 Sale Price: $425.00              Quantity in Stock: 28
1990 CHATEAU CHEVAL BLANC ST. EMILION, FRANCE
Price: $2750.00               Sale Price: $2250.00              Quantity in Stock: 8
1990 CHATEAU SIMARD ST EMILION
Price: $120.00                 Your Price: $105.60              Quantity in Stock: 12
1989 CHATEAU CANON SAINT EMILION GRAND CRU
Price: $295.00                 Sale Price: $225.00              Quantity in Stock: 3
1982 CHATEAU CHEVAL BLANC SAINT-EMILION
Price: $1800.00               Sale Price: $1499.00              Quantity in Stock: 2
1982 CHATEAU CHEVAL BLANC ST. EMILION, FRANCE
Price: $2400.00               Sale Price: $1795.00              Quantity in Stock: 10
1981 CHATEAU FIGEAC, SAINT-EMILION GRAND CRU, FRANCE
Price: $400.00                 Sale Price: $315.00              Quantity in Stock: 30
1975 CHATEAU HAUT PLANTEY SAINT EMILION
Price: $85.00                   Your Price: $74.80              Quantity in Stock: 8

Pomerol


2019 CHATEAU TROTANOY POMEROL
Price: $419.00                 Your Price: $368.72                      Quantity in Stock: 3
2019 CHATEAU VIEUX CHÂTEAU CERTAN POMEROL
Price: $504.25                 Sale: $443.74     Quantity in Stock: 11
2018 CHATEAU PETIT VILLAGE POMEROL
Price: $103.50                 Your Price: $91.08              Quantity in Stock: 21
2017 CHATEAU CLINET POMEROL
Price: $145.00                 Your Price: $127.60              Quantity in Stock: 2
2016 CHATEAU LE BON PASTEUR POMEROL
Price: $142.50                 Your Price: $125.40              Quantity in Stock: 3
2016 CHATEAU NENIN POMEROL
Price: $105.00                 Your Price: $92.40              Quantity in Stock: 9
2016 CHATEAU PLINCE POMEROL
Price: $104.00                 Your Price: $91.52              Quantity in Stock: 8
2015 CHATEAU PETIT VILLAGE POMEROL
Price: $111.00                 Your Price: $97.68              Quantity in Stock: 5
2014 CHATEAU DE SALES POMEROL
Price: $54.         Your Price: $47.5            Quantity in Stock: 8
2014 CHATEAU NENIN POMEROL
Price: $79.00                   Your Price: $69.52              Quantity in Stock: 1
2013 PETRUS, POMEROL, FRANCE MAGNUM
Price: $9995.00               Your Price: $8795.60              Quantity in Stock: 1
2013 PETRUS, POMEROL, FRANCE
Price: $4350.00               Your Price: $3828.00              Quantity in Stock: 2
2010 CHATEAU PETRUS POMEROL
Price: $8500.00               Your Price: $7480.00              Quantity in Stock: 3
2009 CHATEAU TROTANOY POMEROL
Price: $650.00                 Your Price: $572.00              Quantity in Stock: 2
2009 CHATEAU PETRUS POMEROL
Price: $8500.00               Your Price: $7480.00              Quantity in Stock: 3
2009 CHATEAU GAZIN POMEROL
Price: $220.00                 Your Price: $193.60              Quantity in Stock: 1
2008 CHATEAU LAFLEUR POMEROL
Price: $1300.00               Sale Price: $990.00              Quantity in Stock: 4
2000 CHATEAU DE SALES POMEROL
Price: $115.00                 Your Price: $101.20              Quantity in Stock: 7
2000 CHATEAU LA GRAVE A POMEROL TRIGANT DE BOISSET, POMEROL, FRANCE
Price: $250.00                 Sale Price: $195.00              Quantity in Stock: 12
1999 CHATEAU PETRUS POMEROL
Price: $4750.00               Sale Price: $3950.00              Quantity in Stock: 1
1996 CHATEAU GAZIN POMEROL, FRANCE
Price: $235.00                 Sale Price: $180.00              Quantity in Stock: 73
1990 CHATEAU LAFLEUR POMEROL
Price: $4300.00               Sale Price: $3555.00              Quantity in Stock: 3
1989 CHATEAU PETRUS POMEROL
Price: $9500.00               Sale Price: $7500.00              Quantity in Stock: 14
1988 CHATEAU LAFLEUR POMEROL
Price: $900.00                 Sale Price: $755.00              Quantity in Stock: 2
1983 CHATEAU LAFLEUR POMEROL (TORN LABELS)
Price: $1700.00               Sale Price: $1355.00              Quantity in Stock: 5
1982 CHATEAU CERTAN DE MAY DE CERTAN POMEROL
Price: $425.00                 Sale Price: $325.00              Quantity in Stock: 2
1981 CHATEAU LATOUR A POMEROL, POMEROL, FRANCE
Price: $450.0                   Sale Price: $375.00              Quantity in Stock: 10

 
Merlot – Out of Bounds

2022 GALIL MOUNTAIN MERLOT UPPER GALILEE KOSHER
Price: $19.00                   Your Price: $16.72              Quantity in Stock: 7
2019 CRAGGY RANGE TE KAHU HAWKES BAY NEW ZEALAND MERLOT
Price: $21.75                   Your Price: $19.14              Quantity in Stock: 11
2002 BELLANGELO MERLOT FINGER LAKES SENECA
Price: $20.00                   Your Price: $17.60              Quantity in Stock: 1