Vintage guides

Region: Washington State Merlot

Year Rating Drinkability Style More
1986 starstarstarstarstar drink now An unexciting vintage with few wines of any merit more...
1987 starstarstarstarstar drink now An unexceptional vintage with average crop size more...
1988 starstarstarstarstar drink now Bloom and set proceeded on schedule and the vines went into the summer with a good-sized crop more...
1989 starstarstarstarstar drink soon Perfect conditions in September and October produced an excellent vintage more...
1990 starstarstarstarstar drink soon One of the warmest vintages on record produced rich, ripe wines more...
1991 starstarstarstarstar drink soon A difficult harvest produced a number of structured, well-balanced wines more...
1992 starstarstarstarstar drink now A large, early vintage of reasonable quality - good colour and ripeness more...
1993 starstarstarstarstar drink now A record crop of good quality more...
1994 starstarstarstarstar drink soon The crop was small but quality was excellent more...
1995 starstarstarstarstar drink soon An irregular and variable vintage more...
1996 starstarstarstarstar drink now A February freeze and cool weather during bud set halved the crop in many sites more...
1997 starstarstarstarstar drink soon A large crop of good quality wines more...
1998 starstarstarstarstar drink soon A good vintage for deeply coloured, fruity wines more...
1999 starstarstarstarstar keep The long ripening season helped produce very good Merlot indeed more...
2000 starstarstarstarstar keep Cabernet-like Merlot with massive tannins and concentrated flavours should last forever more...
2001 starstarstarstarstar drink soon Smooth, silky wines with intense fruit flavour. more...
2002 starstarstarstarstar drink soon Elegant cherry-scented wines with smooth, ripe tannins more...
2003 starstarstarstarstar keep Very good quality wines with concentration and complexity. more...
2004 starstarstarstarstar drink soon Dark coloured wines with velvety texture and ripe fruit. more...
2005 starstarstarstarstar drink now Winemakers statewide reported small grape clusters with intense color, balance and ripe flavors. more...
2006 starstarstarstarstar keep Seriously outstanding vintage producing supple, well-balanced, deeply-flavoured wines with the accent on blackberry, sage and tobacco notes. Best through 2011-2018. more...
2007 starstarstarstarstar keep Grape quality proved impressive, with average soluble sugars and good acid balance. The best wines are bright and crisp, with silky tannins. more...
2008 starstarstarstarstar keep Very good vintage for Merlot which coped well with the short growing season. Beautifully balanced with promise of complex flavours. more...