 | | | | VinoCellar.com Wine Forums 2006 Columbia Crest Merlot H3 Horse Heaven Hills Last Post 11-10-2009 08:26 AM by Winetex. 6 Replies. | Sort: |
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Vine 
Milwaukee, WI
Barrel Racker
Posts: 1895
 | | 10-28-2008 12:14 AM |
| - 2006 Columbia Crest Merlot H3 - USA, Washington, Columbia Valley, Horse Heaven Hills (10/27/2008)
Popped and poured. Red-purple hue. Initially the nose was quite reticent and showed what appeared to be a synthetic aroma (plastic?). A quick taste showed thin flavors, very muted. Drying tannins, less concentration than in the Grand Estates bottling. After about 2 hours aeration, the synthetic aroma blew off and revealed aromas much more typical of Columbia Crest, black cherry, plum, raspberry, toasty oak and a touch of chocolate, flavors mirrored on the now more generous palate. However, herbaceous, green flavors matched by the austerity from the tannins show that this young wine needs further time in bottle. Heat on the finish doesn't help. Will check back in a couple of months. Score as of now: 83-85?
Posted from CellarTracker | | | |
| Vine
Milwaukee, WI
Barrel Racker
Posts: 1895
| | 10-29-2008 12:34 AM |
| Significantly better on night 2....almost reminds me of an Alexander Valley Cab but with more plum and less cassis.....either way, I do think that these have potential but are made in a very inaccessible style - not the norm from Columbia Crest......even their reserve line usually open for business. Anyway, I would now up my score to 85-87 with the potential to keep improving. | | | |
| Winetex
Austin, TX
Master of Wine
Posts: 12847
| | 10-29-2008 08:55 AM |
| What was the price on these?
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| Vine
Milwaukee, WI
Barrel Racker
Posts: 1895
| | 10-29-2008 09:42 AM |
| I found 'em for $11.99 per at local retail, tried to buy a mixed case of 6 Cab and 6 Merlot but do to apparent high demand had my Cab order cut down to 3.
It will interesting to see how they age. I also find it intriguing that Columbia Crest started to produce a appellation selection that is value priced. | | | |
| Vine
Milwaukee, WI
Barrel Racker
Posts: 1895
| | 06-30-2009 10:25 AM |
| 2006 Columbia Crest Merlot H3 - USA, Washington, Columbia Valley, Horse Heaven Hills (11/10/2008)
Better than previous example, shook vigorously to help aerate which resulted in a much more approachable wine. Still had the herbaceous notes but with this bottle the fruit stood out, with cassis, plum, and other black fruits standing up nicely to the rough tannins. Some oak on the close. All-in-all, I still believe that this needs more time and should the tannins melt, the resulting wine will provide much more pleasure than at present.. (85 pts.)- 2006 Columbia Crest Merlot H3 - USA, Washington, Columbia Valley, Horse Heaven Hills (6/29/2009)
Popped and poured. Medium-plus ruby/purple hue. Still has a strange "funk" on the nose somewhat reminiscent of fruit that is matched by aromas of well-toasted, spicy oak and alcohol (the oak component is especially disconcerting at this point, definite overuse). Medium body. On the palate, flavors of black cherry, plum, vanilla bean, and toasted oak are actually quite pleasant. Tannins are slightly drying. Seemed to improve with air, albeit slightly. This wine may never come together, the oak component seems to have grown. Drink up within the next 1-2 years before the fruit fades away.
***Quick commentary - Clearly this wine has been over-manipulated by use of oak chips and/or powder. The fruit that may have existed before the oak element was added could have actually led to a much better result. At this point, the always solid Grand Estates Merlot is a better wine and value. (85 pts.)
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| Vine
Milwaukee, WI
Barrel Racker
Posts: 1895
| | 11-05-2009 06:09 PM |
| - 2006 Columbia Crest Merlot H3 - USA, Washington, Columbia Valley, Horse Heaven Hills (11/4/2009)
Popped and poured. Medium-plus red/purple hue. Aromas of toasted oak with a touch of fruit. Medium to medium-plus body. Has really devolved from a somewhat palatable Merlot with little merit to what is now simply an oak-laden mess. Palate simply shows spice from the oak additives...what little fruit is underneath comes across as green and under-ripe. Technically not flawed, hence the low rating (showed best on release). Drink now.
Really a shame for Columbia Crest to have ever released this Merlot when their example from the Grand Estates line scores at least in the mid eighties (not to mention the Two Vines Merlot, which is also generally much better)...hopefully just an anomaly with this vintage. (81 pts.)
Posted from CellarTracker | | | |
| Winetex
Austin, TX
Master of Wine
Posts: 12847
| | 11-10-2009 08:26 AM |
| ouch! | | | |
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