KYSELA PERE ET FILS, LTD.

"Moderately saturated bright red-ruby. Sexy aromas of dark raspberry, mocha, red licorice, tobacco, minerals and cocoa nibs reminded me of a Right Bank wine. Plush, ripe and serious, with dusty herbs and spices enlivening the raspberry and plum fruit flavors; more red fruits than black here. Finishes with substantial but ripe well-integrated tannins and slowly building persistence. Not a powerhouse but uncommonly complex and refined for Washington Merlot. And more pliant at this stage than the 2016 was. (a blend of eight sites) - Stephen Tanzer"
- Antonio Galloni's Vinous (December 2019), 92 pts

"Good dark red. Sexy, slightly exotic scents of black raspberry, blueberry, mocha, tobacco, chocolate, spices and licorice. Plush, densely packed and alive, conveying a restrained sweetness and outstanding depth to its pliant red berry, mocha and spice flavors. Spreads out to saturate the palate on the back half, finishing with serious but suave tannins and superb persistence. This utterly seamless Merlot really showcases its vintage. While it will give pleasure early for its sheer density and breadth, it maintained its verve for 48 hours in the recorked bottle and should age well. The swan song of longtime winemaker John Abbott, this beauty was finished by new winemaker Dan Wampfler. - Stephen Tanzer"
- Antonio Galloni's Vinous (October 2017), 93 pts

"The aromas bring notes of dried herb, vanilla bean, wood spice and black cherry. The flavors are rich and luscious, supported by plump ripe tannins. The finish lingers."
- Wine Enthusiast (June 2017), 91 pts

Go to Abeja Merlot Columbia Valley

"The 2014 Columbia Valley Merlot (100% Merlot) is a ripe, black fruit, plum, leafy herbs and mineral-scented effort that has medium to full-bodied richness, moderate mid-palate depth and tons of upfront charm. It's going to drink nicely through 2024."
- Robert Parker's Wine Advocate (Issue #231, June 2017), 90 pts

Go to Abeja Merlot Columbia Valley

"(aged in 60% new French oak): Inviting bright red-ruby color. Fruit-driven aroma of blueberry liqueur complicated by dusty herbs. Plush and nicely concentrated, showing a strong spice character to its dark berry and licorice flavors; I like the balance of fruit sweetness and restrained oak. Firm acids and big, dusty tannins give this wine real spine. In a distinctly savory style. - Stephen Tanzer"
- Vinous (November 2016), 89 pts

Go to Abeja Merlot Columbia Valley

"Aged in French oak, 40% new, the rest one-year-old barrels. Bright, dark red. Musky dark berries, tobacco, mocha and graphite on the nose, with a complementary element of smoky oak. Suave, vinous and sweet, offering a pliant texture and good concentration to its dark berry, chocolate and menthol flavors. Can't match the superb 2012 for definition or floral lift but finishes with smooth tannins and noteworthy persistence. - Stephen Tanzer"
- Vinous (November 2015), 90 pts

Go to Abeja Merlot Columbia Valley

"Cocoa, dark chocolate, raspberry and barrel spice aromas intoxicate the senses. The flavors are sweet and concentrated with a hedonistic styling."
- Wine Enthusiast (September 2015), 92 pts

Go to Abeja Merlot Columbia Valley

"Full, bright red. Expressive aromas of redcurrant, tobacco, mocha, milk chocolate, graphite and cedary oak are lifted by notes of rose petal and fresh herbs; not at all black fruit in character in spite of the high alcohol. Supple, juicy and savory, showing lovely inner-mouth floral lift to the cherry and redcurrant fruit. This very sophisticated Merlot boasts a felicitous combination of vinosity and sweetness. The long finish features ripe, noble tannins. - Stephen Tanzer"
- Vinous (December 2014), 92 pts

Go to Abeja Merlot Columbia Valley

"Pure Merlot sourced from several Columbia Valley vineyards, this opens with inviting toasty scents, quickly moving into a broad, flavorful palate loaded with pretty cherry fruit. The balance between fruit and barrel is perfect, and the wine is ready for near-term enjoyment."
- Wine Enthusiast (July 2014), 93 pts

Go to Abeja Merlot Columbia Valley

"Vibrant and focused, with expressive floral blackberry and red pepper aromatics that carry through to the long finish, playing against refined tannins. Drink now through 2017. 644 cases made. –HS"
- Wine Spectator (May 31st 2014), 90 pts

Go to Abeja Merlot Columbia Valley

"This is toasty, dense and inviting from the first sniff to the last swallow. It's an authoritative, tightly woven and complex wine that offers a core of plum and cassis flavors, annotated by streaks of coffee, licorice and iron. The tannins are textural and gripping. Delicious now, this can also be cellared for a decade. - P.G."

Go To Abeja Merlot Columbia Valley

"Abeja winemaker John Abbott sources fruit for this 100% Merlot from the estate (Heather Hill) vineyard and old-vine Bacchus grapes. Lush and full across the palate, this utterly delicious wine marshals an army of pretty red and black fruit into a silky smooth flavor formation, then wraps them in a tapestry of floral, caramel, coconut, coffee and chocolate highlights. - P.G."

Go To Abeja Merlot Columbia Valley

"Velvety, with a nice lift to the dense, tarry flavors of black currant and smoke, finishing on a toasty note. Has taut structure and ripeness, without excess weight. Drink now through 2017. 394 cases made. – HS

Go To Abeja Merlot Columbia Valley