<h1>2008 Northstar Merlot, Walla Walla -- Northstar Winery Shopping Cart</h1> <b>$50.00</b> -- <i>Silky in texture with notes of dark fruit and spice on the nose, leading into a palate rich with flavors of vanilla, chocolate, raspberry, and earth before a long, seductive finish.</i> <p> <img src="https://www.nexternal.com/northstar/images/nor_ww_merlot_bottle3.jpg" align="right" alt="2008 Northstar Merlot, Walla Walla" name="2008 Northstar Merlot, Walla Walla" border="0" hspace="10" /> <p><strong>Tasting Notes</strong>&nbsp;<br />&#8220;This elegant yet versatile limited production wine embodies the unique characteristics of Walla Walla Valley fruit. Silky in texture with notes of dark fruit and spice on the nose, leading into a palate rich with flavors of vanilla, chocolate, raspberry, and earth before a long, seductive finish. Enjoy!&#8221;&#8211; <em>David &#8220;Merf&#8221; Merfeld, Winemaker<strong></strong></em></p> <p><strong>Vintage Overview</strong><br />A cool spring and moderate summer in the Walla Walla and Columbia valleys delayed harvest slightly and allowed for extended hang time, leading to fruit with bright acidity and good sugar levels. A hot spell in late August provided good conditions for the end of the growing season and got the fruit to desired ripeness.</p> <p><b>Vineyards</b><br />Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon from some of Walla Walla&#8217;s best vineyard sites are showcased in the 2008 Northstar Walla Walla Merlot. The resulting fruit provides concentrated flavors, structure and complexity to the blend. Anna Marie and Spring Valley vineyards contributed Merlot. Cabernet Sauvignon came from Anna Marie Vineyard and a splash of Petit Verdot from Stone Tree Vineyard on the Wahluke Slope rounded out the blend.</p> <p><b>Winemaking</b><br />Grapes were destemmed, crushed and inoculated with Premier Cuvee yeast to begin the seven-day fermentation. The must was punched down daily during fermentation, and was then racked into barrels to undergo malolactic fermentation. Racking occurred every three months for clarity during the 18-month aging process. The barrel regime consisted of 100% French oak with 60% new barrels. The final blend consists of fruit from 7 distinct vineyard blocks.</p> <p><b>Technical Data</b> </p> <ul> <li>Total acidity 0.55g/100ml</li> <li>pH 3.77</li> <li>Alcohol 14.7%</li> <li>Blend 82% Merlot, 14% Cabernet Sauvignon, 4% Cabernet Franc<br /></li> </ul> </p> <p> <ul style="padding-left: 15px"> <li>SKU: 33964</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/Product69" title="2008 Northstar Malbec, Walla Walla Valley">2008 Northstar Malbec, Walla Walla Valley</a> -- "Aromas of cedar, vanilla, and black pepper lead into a medium-bodied wine with spicy, savory, black cherry flavors."</li></ul> <br clear="left"><br /><ul style="padding-left: 15px"><li> <a href="http://store.northstarwinery.com/Product67" title="2008 Northstar Stella Maris, Columbia Valley">2008 Northstar Stella Maris, Columbia Valley</a> -- "Layers of smoke, vanilla, spice, raspberry, and cherry flavors on a soft and silky palate make this a very approachable, versatile wine that can be enjoyed with everything from pizza to prime rib."</li></ul> <br clear="left"><br /><ul style="padding-left: 15px"><li> <a href="http://store.northstarwinery.com/Product66" title="2008 Northstar Syrah, Walla Walla Valley">2008 Northstar Syrah, Walla Walla Valley</a> -- "Lush and elegant, with aromas and flavors of earth, black fruit, vanilla, and dark chocolate leading into a long, smoky finish."</li></ul> <br clear="left"><br /><ul style="padding-left: 15px"><li> <a href="http://store.northstarwinery.com/Product70" title="2008 Northstar Merlot, Columbia Valley">2008 Northstar Merlot, Columbia Valley</a> -- A bright, balanced wine with notes of black cherry, spice, and coconut leading to a long, smoky finish.</li></ul> <br clear="left"><br /><ul style="padding-left: 15px"><li> <a href="http://store.northstarwinery.com/Product75" title="2009 Northstar Cabernet Sauvignon , Columbia Valley">2009 Northstar Cabernet Sauvignon , Columbia Valley</a> -- Aromas of dark fruit lead into a palate ripe with blackberry, black raspberry, cassis, raspberry, cherry, and vanilla flavors.</li></ul> <br clear="left"><br /><ul style="padding-left: 15px"><li> <a href="http://store.northstarwinery.com/Product64" title="2008 Northstar Petit Verdot, Columbia Valley">2008 Northstar Petit Verdot, Columbia Valley</a> -- "A robust wine to enjoy on its own or with a hearty steak."</li></ul> <br clear="left"><br /><ul style="padding-left: 15px"><li> <a href="http://store.northstarwinery.com/Product76" title="2009 Northstar Petit Verdot, Columbia Valley">2009 Northstar Petit Verdot, Columbia Valley</a> -- Aromas and flavors of violets, cinnamon, and coconut overlay a base of rich, elegant dark fruit in this inky and lovely Petit Verdot.</li></ul> <br clear="left"><br /><ul style="padding-left: 15px"><li> <a href="http://store.northstarwinery.com/Product65" title="2008 Northstar Cabernet Franc, Walla Valley Valley">2008 Northstar Cabernet Franc, Walla Valley Valley</a> -- Aromas of vanilla and coconut lead into notes of green olive, dusty earth, tobacco, raspberry, and violet on the rich, mouth-filling palate.</li></ul> </p> <br clear="left" /><br /><p><a href="http://store.northstarwinery.com" title="Northstar Winery Products">Northstar Winery Products</a></p> <br clear="left" /><br /><br /><br /><br /> <br /><a href="http://www.northstarwinery.com">14 Hands Wine</a> <a href="http://www.northstarwinery.com">Fourteen Hands</a> <a href="http://www.northstarwinery.com">Washington Wine</a> <a href="http://www.northstarwinery.com">Washington Merlot</a> <a href="http://www.northstarwinery.com">Washington Cabernet Sauvignon</a> <a href="http://www.northstarwinery.com">Washington Chardonnay</a> <br />Northstar Winery <a href="http://www.nexternal.com" title="ecommerce software">ecommerce software</a> powered by Nexternal