Washington 2000: Keep
Cabernet-like Merlot with massive tannins and concentrated flavours should last forever
Weather Conditions
With a cool early season and warm, dry harvest conditions continuing until just about every Merlot cluster was in the cellars, many winemakers suspect Merlot will be the star of the vintage. Harvested at high levels of ripeness, the small clusters of Merlot yielded powerful, massive wines. With tannin levels to match their extraordinary flavour concentration, the best Merlots took on Cabernet Sauvignon proportions.
Best Appellations
Quality ran high in the Columbia Valley but wines from Walla Walla could lead the fast-running pack.
Best Producers
The stars are Ste. Michelle, Hogue Cellars, Canoe Ridge, Pepper Bridge, and North Star.
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