Northstar Winery News Archive

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October 28, 2003

Walla Walla, WA – Wine Spectator, considered by many to be the most influential wine magazine in the world,  has given the 2000 Northstar Columbia Valley Merlot a "92" score, the publication's highest rating for a wine that was already building a legacy of top scores.  

Wine critic Harvey Steiman, who covers Washington state for the magazine, wrote of this wine: "Stimson Lane's Merlot-only winery has a winner with this dark, ripe red, notable for its balance and finesse. It's not heavy but fleshy with coffee- and black pepper-scented plum, blueberry and dried currant flavors that echo intensively on the fine-grained tannins."

The November 30 issue will provide the review.

And in further good news, the new Walla Walla Valley Northstar cuvée received a "91" from Steiman, who wrote of this very first vintage (2000) the following: "To celebrate its new winery in Walla Walla, Northstar bottled this cuvée…it's ripe, supple and generous with its plum and currant flavors, shaping the long, harmonious finish with fine-grained tannins."

Northstar's first vintage was the 1994, when Ted Baseler, now President & CEO of owner Stimson Lane, urged our winemaker and consultant Jed Steele to "make the best Merlot you possibly can; we will get you the grapes."

Since then, the best Merlot grapes from the Columbia Valley, along with Hill and Steele's expertise, have produced a limited supply of Northstar each vintage, all of which sells out soon after release. The ratings legacy prior to the 2000 Columbia Valley vintage includes a "91" from Wine Spectator and a "94" and “Editor’s Choice” from Wine Enthusiast.

Northstar moved into a sparkling new home in Walla Walla in September of 2002 and went through the first crush there soon after opening the doors. The excitement about Walla Walla in the wine world has been building for more than a decade, so Baseler made it clear to the winemakers he wanted to make Northstar Merlot there. The Columbia Valley series will continue to pull the best Merlot grapes from all over eastern Washington, while the new Walla Walla Valley cuvee will focus on fruit grown near the winery's new home.