The 2008 Milbrandt Vineyards Traditions Merlot is 78% Merlot, 16% Cabernet Sauvignon, 5% Malbec and 1% Barbera sourced from several of their Estate vineyards in the Wahluke Slope sub-AVA in the Columbia Valley in Washington State. Milbrandt has 12 vineyards in the Columbia Valley and if you have had a wine produced in Columbia Valley you have probably tasted their grapes. The wine is aged in French and Hungarian oak barrels and the alcohol content is 13.8%.
The color is a deep dark black cherry red. The nose is the nose starts with oak spice and then the cherry and the plum kicks in. Smooth rich fruit up front, cherry and blueberry, then tea and Nestle Quik powder shows up. Nice stiff tannins on the back end and the acidity is well balanced. The finish is strong and of good length.
The Milbrandt Vineyards Traditions Merlot is a solid, well made Merlot, it has pleasing flavor, excellent structure and body and it should sell for under $15. Some Merlot’s in this price range don’t have a great deal of personality, but the Milbrandt Traditions Merlot has a bit of character and would pair really well with “comfort food”.
