<h1>2005 Northstar Merlot , Walla Walla -- Northstar Winery Shopping Cart</h1> <b>$50.00</b> -- <i><p class="rating">92 points - Wine Advocate</p>"Leather and bright cherry flavors..."</i> <p> <img src="https://store.nexternal.com/northstar/images/nor_ww_merlot_bottle2.jpg" align="right" alt="2005 Northstar Merlot , Walla Walla" name="2005 Northstar Merlot , Walla Walla" border="0" hspace="10" /> <p><strong>Tasting Notes</strong>&nbsp; <br />Leather and bright cherry flavors are balanced well into this satiny smooth, well structured Merlot that concludes with a supple, lingering finish. &#8211; <em>David &#8220;Merf&#8221; Merfeld, Winemaker<strong></strong></em></p> <p><strong>Vintage Overview</strong>&nbsp; <br />Warm summer months and a cool autumn yielded a record harvest for 2005. The growing season began with moderate winter temperatures, followed by a long and warm summer which allowed prolonged hang-time and resulted in fruit with deep, concentrated flavors and intense color.</p> <p><b>Vineyards</b> <br />Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon from some of Walla Walla&#8217;s best vineyard sites are showcased in this, Northstar&#8217;s flagship wine. The resulting fruit provides concentrated black cherry flavors, structure and complexity to the blend.</p> <p><b>Winemaking</b> <br />Grapes were destemmed, crushed and inoculated with Premier Cuv&#233;e yeast to<br />begin the five-day fermentation. The must was punched down daily during fermentation, and was then racked into barrels to undergo malolactic<br />fermentation. Racking occurred every three months for clarity during the 17-month aging process. The barrel regime included 80% French and 20% American oak, with 80% new barrels. The final blend consists of fruit from 8 distinct vineyard blocks.</p> <p><b>Technical Data</b> </p> <ul> <li>Total acidity 0.58 g/100ml</li> <li>pH 3.73</li> <li>Alcohol 14.4%</li> <li>Blend 80% Merlot, 16% Cabernet Sauvignon, 4% Petit Verdot</li> </ul> </p> <p> <ul style="padding-left: 15px"> <li>SKU: 18957</li> </ul> </p> <p><b>Other products in the category <a href="http://store.northstarwinery.com/Category2" title="All Wines">All Wines</a>:</b> <br clear="left"><br /><ul style="padding-left: 15px"><li> <a href="http://store.northstarwinery.com/Product48" title="2006 Northstar Merlot , Walla Walla">2006 Northstar Merlot , Walla Walla</a> -- "Blackberry and bright cherry flavors are balanced into this satiny smooth, well structured Merlot..."</li></ul> <br clear="left"><br /><ul style="padding-left: 15px"><li> <a href="http://store.northstarwinery.com/Product50" title="2006 Northstar Stella Maris, Columbia Valley">2006 Northstar Stella Maris, Columbia Valley</a> -- "This medium-bodied, approachable wine opens with aromatics of blueberry and raspberry. 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