2015 Merlot 14 Hands Winery

When I first began drinking red wine, Merlot was a god starting place. We were at a place that had Columbia Valley wines, and we ordered a bottle of Merlot. This vineyard, 14 Hands, is part of the Columbia Crest wine family. The ’15 merlot had a very fruity nose (…but it didn’t glow like Rudolph’s). First taste was blackberry. Later we found plumb. Most Yakama Valley reds have cherry as did this wine; a little vanilla showed up. The color was a deep, rich red and it finished with light tannin with cocoa. Fond legs that run down the glass. There was a genuine cork. You can drink and enjoy it now, or store awhile in your cellar. When ordering a merlot someplace, try 14 Hands.