Columbia Crest Winery Grand Estates Merlot 2015 Wine Review

Columbia Crest Winery Grand Estates Merlot 2015

Washington, United States

Community Score:90/100

Community Reviews: 3

Add My Review

Price: $17.95

Drink: 2016-2020

Bottle size: 750 ml

Alcohol: 13.5%

Sweetness: Dry

Wine Type: Red Wine

Winery: Columbia Crest Winery

Agent: Philippe Dandurand Wines Ltd.

Natalie's Score: 91/100

Now I understand why Washington is renowned for Merlot! This gorgeously rich and layered Merlot is so flavourful and interesting that even Miles in the movie Sideways would relent. It's a merlot for cabernet drinkers in it's power and concentration yet it's still smooth and supple on the palate. The reason is that merlot has tighter and smaller berry (grape) clusters so the skin to juice ratio when macerating and fermenting is lower which results in the more flavour compounds transferring to the juice (wine) before the skins are remove yet the tannins are shorter than in cabernet so you don't get that furry mouth feeling. Great weight, structure and finish. Pair this with veal shank or duck.

Merlot food pairings: Tandoori-flavored dishes, game, rack of BBQ ribs, veal Porterhouse.

Voluptuous Veal Wine

This Columbia Crest Winery Grand Estates Merlot 2015 was reviewed on June 22, 2016 by Natalie MacLean

More Vintages: 2017 2013 2012

Add New Vintage

Pricing & Stock Information

LCBO
454835
$17.95
Check Stock

BCLDB
263418
$14.63
Check Stock

SAQ
10748451
Check Stock

Reviews and Ratings

Mary Anne van Gaal rated this wine as 90/100 with the following review:

Winemaker Juan Muñoz Oca made this merlot for non-merlot drinkers in order to convert them. I think he may be on to something! This merlot is not wimpy, with aromas of plum and chocolate and juicy flavours of dark berries. It has a very smooth finish and would be great paired with a nice barbecued steak. Good value at $17.95.

Manon Maerten rated this wine as 89/100 with the following review:

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

If you liked the Columbia Crest Winery Grand Estates Merlot 2015, you might also like these wines:

Top Rated Red Wines

Add bottle and/or label shots for this wine
Wineries and agents: Add notes for this wine
Find this wine in other stores

Recipes for Columbia Crest Winery Grand Estates Merlot 2015

WANT TO LEARN HOW TO

PAIR WINE
& FOOD?

Join me in a free online video class to learn the secrets to perfect pairings.

SAVE MY SEAT!

Wine of the Week

As featured on

Hinterbrook Red Wine
2018,
Niagara Lakeshore, Ontario V.Q.A. ...

Natalie MacLean

Natalie MacLean offers North America's most popular online wine and food pairing classes. She was named the World's Best Drinks Writer at the World Food Media Awards in Australia.

Natalie has published two books with Random House, both selected as one of Amazon's Best Books of the Year.

Join 334,953 thirsty wine lovers who get access to all of her wine reviews by becoming a member of her site. Take a free online pairing class with her here.

FEEL LOST IN THE

LCBO?

Know the wines you want before you even get to the store with my wine reviews. Join now. It's free.

Red, White & Drunk All Over

Best Books of the Year

Natalie MacLean writes about wine with a sensuous obsession... and often laugh-out-loud funny... Terrific.

Rex Pickett, Sideways

Ms. MacLean is the disarming Everywoman. She loves wine, loves drinking ... ultimately, it's a winning formula.

Eric Asimov, The New York Times

GOT A SMARTPHONE?

Access my reviews on mobile with the bar code scanner.

GET NAT'S APP

Unquenchable: A Tipsy Search

Best Books of the Year

Natalie MacLean is a new force in the wine writing world ‐ a feisty North American answer to Hugh Johnson and Jancis Robinson. She can write beautifully about wine.

The Financial Times of London

There are very few people in the wine world who "get it" and Natalie is one of those who brings more fun to a buttoned-up and stodgy game.

Gary Vaynerchuck, Wine Library TV

Starting a Wine Cellar?

Expert advice for all budgets

From wine racks to underground caves, insider tips on size and space, number of bottles, ideal conditions and reputable resources. learn more

Welcome Back!Sign in here:

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

Columbia Crest Winery Grand Estates Merlot 2015 Wine Review

Natalie's Score: 91/100

Pricing & Stock Information