<h1>2004 Northstar Merlot, Columbia Valley -- Northstar Winery Shopping Cart</h1> <b>$41.00</b> -- <i><p class="rating">92 points - Wine Enthusiast | 91 points - Wine Spectator | 90 points - Wine Advocate</p>"...bold aromas of raspberry, mint, maple, chocolate, clove..."</i> <p> <img src="https://store.nexternal.com/northstar/images/nor_cv_merlot_bottle1.jpg" align="right" alt="2004 Northstar Merlot, Columbia Valley" name="2004 Northstar Merlot, Columbia Valley" border="0" hspace="10" /> <b>Tasting Notes</b><p>&#8220;An elegant wine that opens with bold aromas of raspberry, mint, maple, chocolate, clove, coconut and licorice, it&#8217;s medium-bodied, dense and muscular with a bold, rich, smoky coffee-mocha finish.&#8221;<br />-<em>David "Merf" Merfeld</em></p> <b>Vintage Overview</b><p>The 2004 growing season got off to a warm start followed by a cooler period during bloom. The hot, dry summer months created uniform berry maturation with intense flavors, good sugar development and high natural acidity. Warm temperatures during the last days of summer produced excellent ripening conditions. Cooler temperatures and intermittent light rain in mid-September slowed ripening and extended hang time. 2004 followed a freeze year resulting in a lighter crop throughout the region.</p> <b>Vineyards</b><p>Diversity of vineyards and sub-appellations within the Columbia Valley are Northstar&#8217;s hallmarks. Fruit is selected from the very best possible sources throughout the Columbia Valley. The Northstar team works closely with each grower to achieve specific fruit quality and yield parameters. Vines are an average of 15 years old and yield grapes with concentrated varietal flavors of cherry and plum with elegant tannins. Fruit from over 8 separate vineyards and 10 different blocks contributed to the blend. </p> <b>Winemaking</b><p>At harvest, grapes were held separately, destemmed and crushed with 25% whole berries remaining. Grapes were fermented on the skins for five days with daily punch downs to extract flavor, colors and fine tannins. The wine was placed into 70 % French and 30% American oak barrels, where it underwent malolactic fermentation. The barrel rotation included 70% new barrels. The lots aged separately for 18 months with barrel-to-barrel racking occurring at three month intervals. </p> <b>Technical Data<br /></b><ul> <li>Total Acidity 0.58 g/100 ml</li> <li>pH 3.70</li> <li>Alcohol 14.5%</li> <li>Blend 76% Merlot, 14% Cabernet Sauvignon, 10% Petit Verdot </li> </ul> <p>&nbsp;</p> </p> <p> <ul style="padding-left: 15px"> <li>SKU: 17197</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. "</li></ul> <br clear="left"><br /><ul style="padding-left: 15px"><li> <a href="http://store.northstarwinery.com/Product49" title="2006 Northstar Syrah, Columbia Valley">2006 Northstar Syrah, Columbia Valley</a> -- "Fullbodied, lush and robust on the palate with a long finish."</li></ul> <br clear="left"><br /><ul style="padding-left: 15px"><li> <a href="http://store.northstarwinery.com/Product40" title="2005 Northstar Merlot , Walla Walla">2005 Northstar Merlot , Walla Walla</a> -- <p class="rating">92 points - Wine Advocate</p>"Leather and bright cherry flavors..."</li></ul> <br clear="left"><br /><ul style="padding-left: 15px"><li> <a href="http://store.northstarwinery.com/Product46" title="2006 Northstar Merlot , Columbia Valley">2006 Northstar Merlot , Columbia Valley</a> -- "aromas of cherry, plum, raspberry, and blackberry, finishing off with flavors of toasted oak, vanilla, coconut, mint, and toffee."</li></ul> <br clear="left"><br /><ul style="padding-left: 15px"><li> <a href="http://store.northstarwinery.com/Product47" title="2000 Northstar Merlot , Columbia Valley">2000 Northstar Merlot , Columbia Valley</a> -- "Big structure with smooth tannins and beautiful oak flavors in the finish."<br /><br />Current Club Selection</li></ul> <br clear="left"><br /><ul style="padding-left: 15px"><li> <a href="http://store.northstarwinery.com/Product43" title="2006 Northstar Cabernet Sauvignon , Columbia Valley">2006 Northstar Cabernet Sauvignon , Columbia Valley</a> -- "This rich, fruity, dark, full-bodied wine leads with cherry flavors..."</li></ul> <br clear="left"><br /><ul style="padding-left: 15px"><li> <a href="http://store.northstarwinery.com/Product44" title="2006 Northstar Petit Verdot, Columbia Valley">2006 Northstar Petit Verdot, Columbia Valley</a> -- "Floral, earthy, and chocolate aromas along with dark fruits and coconut lead into the full, rich palate."</li></ul> <br clear="left"><br /><ul style="padding-left: 15px"><li> <a href="http://store.northstarwinery.com/Product52" title="2007 Northstar Petit Verdot, Columbia Valley">2007 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/Product42" title="2006 Northstar Cabernet Franc, Columbia Valley">2006 Northstar Cabernet Franc, Columbia Valley</a> -- "...soft, elegant, and medium-bodied with bright red fruit..."</li></ul> <br clear="left"><br /><ul style="padding-left: 15px"><li> <a href="http://store.northstarwinery.com/Product51" title="2007 Northstar Cabernet Franc, Columbia Valley">2007 Northstar Cabernet Franc, Columbia Valley</a> -- Aromas of mint and sage lead into green olive, white chocolate, coconut, and vanilla flavors with a slightly smoky finish.</li></ul> <br clear="left"><br /><ul style="padding-left: 15px"><li> <a href="http://store.northstarwinery.com/Product45" title="2008 Northstar Stella Blanca, Columbia Valley">2008 Northstar Stella Blanca, Columbia Valley</a> -- "...lovely hints of tropical fruits, apple and lemon zest, and the elegance of a fruit tart with its classic pastry cream filling"</li></ul> <br clear="left"><br /><ul style="padding-left: 15px"><li> <a href="http://store.northstarwinery.com/Product34" title="2005 Northstar Syrah, Columbia Valley">2005 Northstar Syrah, Columbia Valley</a> -- "robust on the palate with earthy, meaty cola flavors..."</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.northstarmerlot.com">14 Hands Wine</a> <a href="http://www.northstarmerlot.com">Fourteen Hands</a> <a href="http://www.northstarmerlot.com">Washington Wine</a> <a href="http://www.northstarmerlot.com">Washington Merlot</a> <a href="http://www.northstarmerlot.com">Washington Cabernet Sauvignon</a> <a href="http://www.northstarmerlot.com">Washington Chardonnay</a> <br />Northstar Winery <a href="http://www.nexternal.com" title="ecommerce software">ecommerce software</a> powered by Nexternal