The 2008 Merlot Horse Heaven Hills was aged for 14-18 months in 33% new French and American oak and displays a similar personality to the Grand Estates cuvee. Cinnamon, clove, violets, tobacco, cassis, and black currant aromas compose the bouquet of this savory, flavorful Merlot. In the glass it exhibits a sense of elegance, excellent volume, and a medium-long finish. It will provide enjoyment for another 4-5 years and is a very good value. Columbia Crest, part of the Ste. Michelle Wine Estates, is Washington's largest winery. It produces mammoth amounts of wine (2,000,000+ cases) at a remarkably high level of quality. A visit to the cellars reveals brilliant organization, high morale, and a sense of personal involvement by the staff that undoubtedly adds value to the finished wine. www.columbia-crest.com

The 2007 Merlot Horse Heaven Hills saw a greater percentage of new oak. Purple-colored, it offers up a nose of cedar, tobacco, spice box, black currant, and blackberry. Tannic on the palate and slightly gritty in the finish, it might round out with another 2-3 years of bottle age but how many people are going to cellar a $15 bottle of Merlot? Columbia Crest, part of the Ste. Michelle Wine Estates, is Washington’s largest winery. It produces mammoth amounts of wine (2,000,000+ cases) at a remarkably high level of quality. A visit to the cellars reveals brilliant organization, high morale, and a sense of personal involvement by the staff that undoubtedly adds value to the finished wine. Tel. (509) 875-2061; www.columbia-crest.com

The 2006 Merlot was aged in 25% new French and American oak for 14-16 months. Dark ruby-colored, it delivers a pleasant nose of cedar, vanilla, clove, cassis, and cherry. Supple, ripe, and easy-going on the palate, this medium-bodied effort has surprising persistence and length for its bargain price. Drink it over the next 3 years. Columbia Crest, owned by Ste. Michelle Wine Estates, has long been known for the quality of its value-priced wines. The current collection will only enhance the winery’s reputation. Columbia Crest is usually thought of as a producer of value-priced wines selling for under $20. However, their upper-level, limited-production wines merit serious attention as they, too, are value-priced compared to the competition Tel. (509) 875-2061; www.columbia-crest.com

No tasting note given.