2018 Merlot Canoe Ridge Vineyard

Canoe Ridge Vineyard has linked its branding with the Lewis and Clark exploration. The explorers struggled down the Snake River into the Columbia. After leaving St. Louis, MO, in1803 their company camped near Walla Walla. The Lewis and Clark State Park is located near Paterson. Currently, the AVA is named Horse Heaven Hills, which is the home of the Vineyard.

The explorers named the mountain crest because it resembled an up-side down canoe. Their journey down the Columbia was hazardous as well as physically uncomfortable. When they finally reached the river’s estuary, Gen. Clark complained that the “Pacific” was really “tempestuous and horrible”.

Taste=2: This ’18 Merlot comes from the vineyard’s Expedition collection with a floral nose. Yep, it is a hearty, full bodied Merlot. It is a deep red wine that needs chewing at first taste. Many of the Merlots produced by Yakama and Walla Walla vineyards present more subtle textures.

Their Expedition Merlot starts with dried tobacco, dark chocolate appears, and then opens into black raspberry. Its leathery tannins finish lingers quite a while. If your preference tends toward muscular Merlot, then this “canoe” is for you.

Looks=2: The most obvious tell on the wine is its composition cork. I wondered what the wine would taste like 10 years hence, but it probably would not cellar well across time. The pour came out a deep, rich Cordovan. The wine held strong, clear legs. The vineyard’s pictures a silhouette of a Lewis & Clark canoe.

Paddle this Merlot into hearty food pairings of roast lamb, stewed canvasback duck, wild boar, as well as smoked venison.

Cost=2: Priced well for a buyer to enjoy.