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: 1998 Leonetti Columbia Valley Merlot

1998 Leonetti Columbia Valley Merlot

SKU #310392 94 points Wine Advocate

Outer quote mark The medium to dark ruby-colored 1998 Merlot possesses an immensely appealing spice and dark fruit-scented perfume. While it would be perceived as extroverted, even boisterous from another producer, it is reserved for Leonetti. Medium to full-bodied and hugely ripe, it is crammed with Asian spices, chocolate, blackberry juice, and a cascade of cherries. This expansive, rich, lively Merlot is unquestionably great stuff! There are no hard edges in its sultry character or exceptionally long, fruit-filled finish. (PR) Inner quote mark (10/2001)

94 points Wine Enthusiast

Outer quote mark If this isn’t the best $50 Merlot in the world, I don’t know what is. Dark, thick and jammy, with dense layers of fruit, spice and oak. Scents of sandalwood, coffee, mint, pepper and more, much more. In the mouth it offers a seamless, achingly rich mix of fruits, woods and spices. Big, rich, long and deep... Inner quote mark (11/2000)

93 points Wine Spectator

Outer quote mark *Highly Recommended* Firm, flavorful and distinctly spicy, with cinnamon and nutmeg overtones to the yummy, focused black currant and blackberry flavors. A racy red with great style and depth. Fine-grained tannins can use cellaring. Inner quote mark (8/2000)

90 points Int'l Wine Cellar

Outer quote mark Bright, deep ruby-red. Spicy aromas of blackberry, boysenberry, black plum and sexy oak. Juicy, intense and tightly wound, with flavors of red berries, mint and spice. Rather tannic today and in need of aging, but spicy, chocolatey and very long. (ST) Inner quote mark (9/2000)

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1998 Leonetti Columbia Valley Merlot

Price: $69.99

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Varietal:

Merlot

- A very popular red grape variety found in the great wines of St. Emilion and Pomerol. It is the most planted variety in Bordeaux, and it has also become an extremely fashionable red in many regions including California. Although it has a reputation to be smooth, and easy to drink when young, Merlot is also capable of producing extremely intense wines as well. It is often used as a blending agent with Cabernet Sauvignon.

Country:

United States

- When people consider domestic wine, they normally think about the state of California. The fine viticultural Region within California, including the Napa Valley, Sonoma, Santa Cruz Mountains, Mendocino and Santa Barbara, are capable of growing grapes of world-class quality. But there's plenty of fabulous wine coming from other states, too. Oregon, Washington and New York are also causing eyebrows (and glassware) to be raised around the world.

Sub-Region:

Washington

- Washington has become one of the most important wine producing states in the United States, and development continues to grow rapidly. In 1969, when California was exploding as a wine producer, Washington had only two wineries, but by 2000 that number had passed 100. Most of Washington's grape crop goes to uses other than wine. Merlot and Chardonnay have been the most successful in Washington. It's interesting to note that Washington's prime wine regions are located at 46° north, along the same latitude as the legendary French wine districts of Bordeaux and Burgundy. During the summer, Washington averages more than two hours more sunlight each day compared to California.