Anyone who knows me is aware that my favorite Merlots - and Merlot-based blends - in the United States come from grapes grown in and around the Columbia Valley, Washington State. A friend, who was in the Air Force in Washington State in the 50s, tells me that, at the time, the prevalent crop there was sugar beets . . . sugar beets! Then, someone with vision realized that the valley had near-perfect conditions for growing wine grapes, particularly red wine grapes: hot, dry days; cool nights; abundant runoff water from the Cascade mountains to the west; and a longer growing season than even Napa Valley. (I suspect that the Mendoza region of Argentina produces such great Malbecs because it shares conditions similar to Columbia Valley: hot, dry days; cool nights; abundant runoff water from the Andes mountains to the west.)
This 14 Hands offering has long been a favorite here at Harney's. A blend mainly of Merlot and Syrah (Shiraz, the same grape), it exhibits aromas and flavors of cherry, red currant, plum, and tea, and has soft tannins, with a lingering finish. Simply delicious!
Taste and see!