Washington 1999: Keep
The long ripening season helped produce very good Merlot indeed
Weather Conditions
Though it has some competition, this vintage was one of the coolest vintages of the ’90s. While it started out in the spring as extremely cool, the vintage ended up being slightly warmer that normal when September was finished. Any rain that normally occurs here did failed to show up in what was a warm, dry late season through harvest period. The vines enjoyed a sun bath and the moderate temperatures were sufficient to ripen and mature the fruit. The lack of moisture enabled growers to avoid their annual worry about botrytis on red grapes. Though this was not an easy vintage and many winemakers were wondering if the fruit would ever get ripe, the warm dry fall was a minor miracle. Thoughmost wines from this vintage have yet to appear, early reports peg it as one of the best, possibly the star of the 1990s.
Best Appellations
See best producers
Best Producers
Chateau Ste. Michelle (Indian Wells), L’Ecole No 41(Seven Hills Vyd), Leonetti, Canoe Ridge, Powers, Columbia Winery (Milestone), Hogue Cellars Reserve, Snoqualmie Winery, Columbia Crest Estate, Seven Hills, Apex, Balcom & Moe
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