Shaw Red Mountain Vineyards Reserve Merlot
⏳ wine.drinking_window
Typically best enjoyed 5–15 years from vintage release.
🍽️ wine.food_pairings
Grilled ribeye steak, roasted rosemary lamb chops, aged Gouda cheese
✨ wine.spec_sheet
Hailing from the sun-drenched slopes of the Red Mountain AVA, the Shaw Vineyard is legendary for producing some of Washington State's most powerful and structured red wines. Columbia Crest's Reserve Merlot from this acclaimed site showcases the dramatic terroir of one of the Pacific Northwest's warmest microclimates. Swept by persistent winds and defined by high-calcium, gravelly soils, the vines yield small, concentrated berries with thick skins. This results in a Merlot of remarkable depth, boasting robust tannins and intense dark fruit character that challenges the traditional soft perception of the varietal. The winemaking team employs meticulous barrel selection, aging the wine in premium French oak to seamlessly integrate its bold structure with refined complexity, honoring the pioneering spirit of Washington viticulture.
🍾 wine.about_producer
Established in 1983 in Paterson, Washington, along the banks of the Columbia River, Columbia Crest is one of the Pacific Northwest's most significant and celebrated wineries. Owned by Ste. Michelle Wine Estates, the winery operates a state-of-the-art facility in the Columbia Valley, combining modern gravity-flow techniques with traditional oak barrel aging. Columbia Crest is renowned for delivering exceptional quality and value, showcasing the region's unique terroir through its Grand Estates, H3, and Two Vines series. Their signature expressions include robust Cabernet Sauvignon, velvety Merlot, and the prestigious Walter Clore Private Reserve, which honors the pioneer of Washington viticulture. This dedication to craft has cemented their reputation as a benchmark producer of Washington State wine on the global stage.