Salmon Harbor Merlot 1999

Merlot is a signature wine grape for Washington state. It can be produced in a lean Bordeaux style that takes advantage of the higher natural acidity that can develop in grapes grown in eastern Washington's Columbia Valley, or in a softer, youthful style, as is the 1999 Salmon Harbor Merlot. This is a red wine meant to be enjoyed in its youth, when its aromas and flavors (cherry, cocoa, leather and smoke) make it a delicious match for grilled and spicy foods. The wine's moderate weight, touch of oak and easy-going tannins would go especially well with barbecued lamb, Cajun dishes and its namesake, grilled salmon.