H3 Horse Heaven Hills Merlot 2017 - Columbia Crest

The H3 Horse Heaven Hills Merlot from Columbia Crest is a wonderful American red wine cuvée made from the grape varieties Merlot (96%), Cabernet Sauvignon (3%) and Malbec (1%).

A warm cherry red with purple highlights shimmers in the glass of this wine. The aromatic bouquet reveals intense aromas of ripe berries - especially blackberries and raspberries - and fine spices. The opulent berry fruit also presents itself on the palate, finely underlined by slightly smoky nuances. The body is wonderfully dense and surrounded by velvety tannins. The finish  has a pleasant length and a subtle hint of cocoa.

The wines of the H3 line (three H's stand for Horse Heaven Hills) were created to praise the winery's rich heritage in the Horse Heaven Hills, its optimal knowledge of winemaking and its spirit of innovation in wine making. For more than 20 years the vineyards have been owned by Columbia Crest, where they are the basis for inspiration and outstanding grapes.

Vinification of the Columbia Crest Merlot H3 Horse Heaven Hills

The grapes for this American red wine are harvested at the end of September. The grapes are immediately taken to the Columbia Crest cellar, where 70% are gently crushed and 30% of the grapes are left in their entirety. The must is then fermented in stainless steel tanks for 7 to 14 days. Both stainless steel tanks and oak barrels are used for biological acid degradation. Finally, this red wine is aged in American and French oak barrels - one third of which are new and two thirds used barrels.

Food recommendation for the Merlot H3 Horse Heaven Hills Columbia Crest

This dry red wine from the USA is an excellent companion to lamb stew with rustic vegetables, beef ragout, risotto with fresh mushrooms or spicy cheeses.

Awards for the H3 Merlot Columbia Crest

James Suckling: 90 points for 2015