Chateau Ste. Michelle 2000 Canoe Ridge Merlot (Washington St.)

Deep ruby red. Cedar box scent with crushed blackberries. Jammy but not overbearing. Overall nice fruit. Medium long finish with fine tannins and a nice lush mouthfeel.

This was another club shipment from Wine.com for $22. This was a very pleasant surprise and another confirmation that Washington State does some pretty darn fine Merlot. I would recommend this for merlot lovers. Although Wine.com is no longer carrying the 2000 vintage, I would recommend trying the 2002 if you come across it.

2003 Viticcio Chianti Classico Riserva (Italy-Tuscany)

Deep garnet color. Flinty nose with definite blackberry and some vanilla. Earthy and spicy. Medium long length. I loved the 2001 vintage of this wine and I think the 2003 is at the same level or close.

If you have the opportunity to give this a couple years of bottle age, it will soften out even more. If not, try to decant it for about an hour before serving.

This wine is available and can currently be found at Astor Wine and Spirits for $22 which is about the going rate for this wine. It’s very much a recommended wine from me.

2002 Stonestreet Merlot (Napa Valley)

Rudy red color and medium bodied wine with a soft texture and a mid-length finish. Smokey oak on the nose along with an earthy cherry scent. Not very complex but not bad either.

I don’t think this is another buy for me but it wasn’t unpleasant. Fans of Merlot might want to check this out if the price is right. This is $17 from Wine.com and was part of a wine club I used to belong to.