2004 Columbia Crest Merlot 88 points

2004 Merlot Washington Two Vines $8



Lush and velvety with a beautiful nose; the palate is broad with Bing cherries, black cherry, cedar and oak. I love Merlots with undertones of chocolate and tobacco and this one does not disappoint. The finish travels far and wide with hints of white pepper and new oak.

2006 Castle Rock Merlot 89 points

Merlot, Columbia Valley (WA), $10



Excellent value for a pure, centered Merlot; With a ripe palate of red currant, cherry, plum and spicy vanilla. Well balanced flavors are the core of this concentrated red. A smooth, long finish with notes of mocha and toasty oak that lasts and lasts.

2006 Concha y Toro Marques de Casa Concha 91 points

Merlot, Peumo, $19



Another fine Merlot from Concha y Toro; With a velvety palate of black plum, cassis, black pepper and supple vanilla. With firm, ripe tannins and a lush mouth-feel adds to the allure of this red. The finish is smooth with hints of nutmeg and burnished oak, drink now thru 2012.

2005 Chateau Ste. Michelle Canoe Ridge Merlot 92 points

Chateau Ste-Michelle 2005 Canoe Ridge Estate Merlot, $22



Another hit from Chateau Ste-Michelle; these guy's make great wine's at all price points. This lush and beautifully layered Merlot with palate pleasing blueberry jam,
licorice, mocha and cedar. The tannins are smoothed out to find a proper balance. With a sassy and interesting finish of black tea and toasty oak that's long and delicious, drink now thru 2012.

2004 Maddalena Merlot 87 points

Merlot, Paso Robles, $15



With a profile that's soft and full of ripe dark fruit; Black cherry, black raspberry, oak and pepper are lush on the palate. Soft tannins and a balanced finish with notes of leather and cedar, drink now.

2006 Longboard DaKine Vineyard 92 points

Merlot, Russian River Valley, $19



Another great Merlot from a much maligned grape; fresh blueberry, black plum, chocolate and leather dance on the palate with structure and elegance. Multi-layered and balanced with licorice and spice coming through a long, lush finish, drink now thru 2014.

2005 Gainey Merlot 91 points

Merlot, Santa Ynez Valley, $20

A mouthful of rich, ripe fruit surrounded by toasty oak; I love a tasty Merlot, blackberry, black cherry, brown sugar and vanilla fill the palate of this dry red wine. Restrained tannins and lots of oak lead to a luscious finish.

2005 MontGras Quatro Reserva 92 points

Red Blend, Colchagua Valley, $16

This red blend of Cabernet, Malbec, Merlot and Carmenère is a full-throttled, big with edgy ripe fruit. A full mouth-feel of black cherry, blueberry, earth and spice. The finish is a blend of chocolate and fresh ground coffee that's warm and long.

2006 Casa Lapostolle Estate Bottled 89 points

Merlot, Rapel Valley, $13

Easy to drink and easy on the wallet makes for a great value; When this Merlot opens up it displays black plum, blackberry, espresso and chocolate on the palate. The finish is full of tannins and coffee-like flavors, with time this will settle down to make good red wine.

2006 Clos de la Siete Super Red Blend 93 points

2006 Red blend; Argentina, $19

A beautifully blended red wine with 50% Malbec, 30% Merlot, 10% Cabernet Sauvignon, and 10% Syrah. Big fruit nose of blueberry liqueur and spice leeding to a restrained palate of black cherry, blueberry, spice and oak. This well balanced red will get better with age, drink now thru 2015.

Black Box Reserve NV 88 points

Merlot, Sonoma County, 3 L, $25

I have to say I was served this Merlot and was not told it was out of a box. With that said, I was surprised how well rounded and polished it was. Flavors of Bing cherries, earth, cedar and oak wash across the palate nicely. The finish adds more oak and leather to make this a nice Merlot at a great price. Drink now, well done!

2005 Diamond River Merlot 87 points

Diamond River 2005 Merlot (Lutzville Valley); $10

Uncomplicated and easy to drink at a great price, you can't beat that. Earth and spice on the nose lead to fresh raspberrys and more spice on the palate. Hints of vanilla lead to a well balanced soft finish.

2005 Soos Creek Sundance Red Wine 91 points

Red Blend, Columbia Valley (WA), $20

The Sundance is Bordeaux-like in its flavors and structure or as we call it a red blend. This is a well made wine with tempered spicy juicy red fruit on the nose. The tannins are wrapped tightly around cassis, mulberry, spice and smokey oak. Well integrated fruit with soft, smooth cocoa and toast on the finish. Drink now thru 2011.

2005 Hayman & Hill Napa Valley Merlot 91 points

Merlot, Napa Valley, California $12

Some of the best Merlot's come from Napa Valley, great style with incredible value. Rich plum and black cherries power the nose, while the palate is lush and subtle with smoke, leather, cedar and dark berries. Medium bodied and more smokey oak on complex long lasting finish.

2005 Walla Walla Vintners Cabernet Sauvignon 94 points

Walla Walla Vintners 2005 Sagemoor Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon (Columbia Valley); $40

Sagemoor Cabernet Sauvignon is the 'signature' Cabernet Sauvignon for Walla Walla Vinters. This is a beautiful red blend, I got this as a gift because it's out of my price range and I tried to save it but could not resist. 79% old vine Cabernet Sauvignon, 9% Merlot, 6% Cabernet Franc, and 3% each of Malbec and Petit Verdot are perfectly integrated with smokey oak. Concentrated flavors of dark berries, coffee liqueur, chocolate-covered cherries, cedar and leather. Very smooth and seductively long finish with notes of caramel and roasted coffee, drink now thru 2018.

2005 Falesco Pesano Merlot 91 points

Merlot, Umbria, $16

Wow, this is why I love Merlot, value, style and intensity. Medium-bodied, lush fruit with chocolate, blackcherrie, leather and spice. This intensely concentrated, multi-layered Merlot is an oak bomb that finishes off with vanilla and caramel. This wine represents why Umbria makes some of the best large production wines on the market. This Best buy and top 100 Merlot should be enjoyed within 2-3 years.

2006 Snoqualmie Whistle Stop Red 89 points

2006 Whistle Stop Red Columbia Valley $10

This is a well made wine for a budget price, I like red blends and this does not disappoint. Black cherries highlighted with clove and earth, throw in a little leather. Tannins are soften up with subtle vanilla and a little roasted coffee on a smooth finish. Drink now thru 2011

2006 Santa Carolina Reserva Merlot 88 points

Santa Carolina 2006 Reserva Merlot (Colchagua Valley); $10

I think Merlot is one of the most under-appreciated and maligned grapes. Cedar, chocolate and big blueberry stand up to the prominent toasty oak rather nicely. Full bodied on the palate with undertones of espresso, blackberry and other ripe fruit. Finishes off with toffee, smoke and green herbs, offering a surprising complexity for a wine of this price.

2006 Tait The Ball Buster 93 points

2006 Red Wine from Barossa Valley, Australia $16

I tasted this blend of 78% Shiraz, 12% Cabernet Sauvignon, and 10% Merlot three times over the day and could not get enough. Beautiful inky color, with a nose of dark fruit, earth, spice and dark chocolate. Soft and lush on the palate, with blueberry pie, espresso, leather and nutmeg. 16% alcohol, but it's not hot, the finish is smooth and long with the toasty oak coming out. Drink this Best Buy now thru 2015.

2005 Airfield Estates Aviator Red 89 points

Red Blend, Yakima Valley, $25


This red blend consists of 40% Syrah, 35% Merlot, and 25% Cabernet Sauvignon, when blended correctly are very tasty. Well integrated dark fruit with hints of raspberry, crushed black pepper, chocolate and cedar. Merlot adds a lush, silky layer and oak aging restrains the tannins to this well blended red wine. Drink now thru 2010.