Northstar - Columbia Valley Merlot 2000

• 92 points - Wine Spectator
• 90 points - International Wine Cellars
  Complete Acclaim Highlights

• Overall, the growing season had moderate temperatures and almost no rainfall, providing excellent conditions for the grapes to ripen to maturity.
• The month of August saw the onset of a prolonged period of warm, cloud free, sunny weather and low nighttime temperatures.
• A late-September cold front slowed down the ripening process and allowed grapes extended time on the vine.
• Winemakers characterize the 2000 harvest as exceptional for both quality and quantity.

• For the 2000 vintage winemakers increased vineyard diversity for added complexity, selecting only the best vineyards in the Columbia Valley.
• Vines average 15 years old and yield grapes with concentrated varietal flavors of cherry and plum and elegant tannins.
• Diversity of vineyards is the backbone of this wine. Fruit from the vines of 10 different vineyards and 14 individual lots contribute to the final blend.

• Ripe grapes were destemmed and crushed, leaving 25% whole berries intact, then inoculated with various strains of yeast, including Prise de Mousse and Fermirouge.
• Winemakers built upon fermentation techniques and their understanding of the vineyards used in the past to perfect each lot specific fermentation.
• All lots were fermented in 2.5 ton open top fermenters.
• The must was punched down 2-4 times per day to extract optimal flavor, tannin and color during the 5-day fermentation on the skins.
• Free run juice was racked to barrels to finish primary fermentation.
• Aged for 19 months in primarily French and some American oak, using 86% new and 14% one-year-old barrels.
• Type and age of barrel used for each individual vineyard wine lot was hand selected.
• Individual lots were racked every three months for clarity, with a total of 6 rackings.
• More than 18 individual lots and 12 blend possibilities were tasted for the final blend..

Technical data

• Total Acidity 0.48 g/100 ml
• pH 3.38
• Alcohol 14.8%
• Bottling Date June 2002
• Blend 79% Merlot, 21% Cabernet Sauvignon