Shaw Red Mountain Vineyards Reserve Merlot
⏳ Drinking Window
Typically best enjoyed 5–15 years from vintage release.
🍽️ Food & Wine Pairings
Grilled ribeye steak, roasted rosemary lamb chops, aged Gouda cheese
✨ Technical Specifications
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.
🍾 About the Producer
Established in 1983 in Paterson along the sun-drenched banks of the Columbia River, Columbia Crest has played a pivotal role in establishing Washington State as a premier world-class wine region. Situated in the heart of the Columbia Valley and Horse Heaven Hills, the estate benefits from ideal growing conditions characterized by warm diurnal shifts and well-draining soils. The winery focuses on precision viticulture and modern cellar craft to produce wines of remarkable consistency, depth, and accessibility. Columbia Crest is celebrated for its rich, structured Cabernet Sauvignon, plush Merlot, and vibrant Chardonnay, featured prominently across acclaimed ranges such as Grand Estates, H3, and the flagship Walter Clore Private Reserve.
🍇 Grape Varieties
Merlot