Drink.  Learn.  Laugh.  Repeat.

Welcome Back!Sign in here:

Not Registered?Become one of our thirsty clan 334,953 strong:

Register Today!
Manon Maerten

Manon Maerten

Grand Estates

Columbia Crest Winery Grand Estates Cabernet Sauvignon 2013

Columbia Valley, Washington State, United States
3098 days ago

Manon scored this wine: 90/100

The CabSauv was my favorite of this tasting. I was extremely surprised by its silkiness (the winemaker Juan Munos Oca explained us that it was mostly thanks to the very favorable climate of the Columbia River region). Very interesting wine with a very good price point. The nose is very aromatic with kirsch, chocolate and an elegant hint of oak. The mouth is very smooth balanced by a medium acidity. I would drink it with a beef rib or a dark chocolate desert.

Grand Estates

Columbia Crest Winery Grand Estates Merlot 2015

Washington, United States
3098 days ago

Manon scored this wine: 89/100

First nose very fruity: crushed wild strawberries and blackberries. Vanilla is present but not overwhelming. The mouth is round and balanced. We can detect the same crushed fruits in the mouth. The oak is still a little bit too present and tannins are not completely melted which is understandable. Medium length. To pair with a board of charcuterie

Grand Estates

Columbia Crest Winery Grand Estates Chardonnay 2014

Columbia Valley, Washington, United States
3098 days ago

Manon scored this wine: 87/100

Gold color with thick tears. The nose is very aromatic with cooked apple notes white flowers and present but subtle oak notes of toasted bread. The palate is elegant and round. Very buttery, creamy and toasted. However it is not heavy thanks to an acidity still present that balances very well. The finish is long. Would be great with a chicken with morellos or aged cheeses.

3102 days ago

Manon scored this wine: 93/100

Incredible wine with a great complexity. First nose with aromas of garrigue, black olives and tobacco. The mouth is still a little bit tannic but velvety. Flavours of black fruits and pepper are very concentrate but it's still very fresh and so elegant. A slight oxidative note in the aftertaste with nut flavours. We poured it in a carafe for more than an hour and 2 hours after opening it, the wine was still evolving... amazing! A great complexity and length perfect to pair with our beef roast and truffle risotto... Delicious!

Manon Maerten

Memorable Wine

Laffite-Rotschild 1982 for the prestige - Domaine de Trevallon 2004 for the emotion

more

First Wine

Probably one produced by my grand-father

more

Current Fav Wine

Because of the season: crispy and mineral whites / light and fruity reds

more
Winner World's Best Drink Writer
WFour-Time Winner James Beard Foundation
Five-Time Winner Association of Food Journalists
Six-Time Winner Bert Greene Award
Best Wine Literature Book Gourmand World Cookbook Awards
Online Writer of the Year Louis Roederer International Wine Writing Award