1998 Northstar Merlot

Rich plum and berry aromas combine with toasty oak to offer a heady hint of what’s to come in this enticing Merlot most notable for its big, fruity style. Tannins are well balanced and the richness of the variety comes through on the middle and back palate. Look for a hint of black cherry from the cabernet. The finish is long and smooth.

— Jed Steele, Winemaker

• 93 Points - Wine Enthusiast
• 92 Points - Wine Advocate
• 90 Points - International Wine Cellar

Even before they fermented their first lot of wine, Washington winemakers knew the 1998 vintage was special. Spring conditions were near perfect, and the summer months were quite warm resulting in smaller grapes and fewer berries per cluster. As a result, the season produced fruit with intense flavor and character. Then as if made-toorder, temperatures moderated in late August and September to slow the ripening process just enough to compound flavors and concentration.

Vineyards along the Columbia Valley’s acclaimed Wahluke Slope were among the first in the state to grow Merlot and helped gain the region an early reputation for rich, supple wines that have become the hallmark of Washington state merlot. The 1998 Northstar Merlot is the product of these mature vineyards. Sandy, free-draining soils and low annual rainfall combine to allow vineyard managers to control water judiciously, thereby managing canopy development and producing grapes with full flavor and intensity. Yields were watched carefully, and the resulting wine offers generous, fruit-forward elegance.

Northstar’s winemaker Jed Steele is dedicated to exploring the potential of Merlot, Washington’s star grape variety known for its rich, supple texture and generous structure. Merlot was fermented in small lots and punched down to add color and flavor to the wine without astringency. At dryness, the wine was racked to 100% new French oak barrels for malolactic fermentation to integrate the oak and fruit early in the young wine. The wine then aged in barrels for 19 months and was racked every three months for clarity for a total of six rackings. True to their commitment to minimal manipulation of the wine, Jed bottled the wine unfiltered and unfined.

• Total Acidity ~ 0.57g/100ml
• pH ~ 3.72
• Alcohol Content ~ 14.1%
• Bottling Date ~ June 29, 2000
• Blend 89% Merlot, 11% Cabernet Sauvignon