Winemaker's comments
We are also very partial to our 2005 Columbia Valley Merlot. It is an excellent right-bank Bordeaux styled wine (86% Merlot, 14% Cabernet Franc) that reflects the personality of the vintage. Hints of lavender, smoky meat, Asian spices, and minerals enhance the black and cherry fruit. Big and seamless, this wonderfully balanced wine should mature around 2011 and age gracefully for 20 years or longer.

Reviews
2005 Merlot

International Wine Cellar Review

"Good deep, saturated ruby-red. Crushed dark berries and nutty oak on the nose. Much less open, lush and expressive today than the 2004, but with very firm acidity giving cut to the brooding dark fruit flavors. Finishes with substantial building tannins that will likely require extended bottle aging. I should note that the Golitzins believe this wine will surpass their 2004, but today it's difficult to assess."
Score: 91-94

Stephen Tanzer, International Wine Cellar, Nov/Dec 07

Wine Advocate Review

"The 2005 Merlot is deep crimson-colored with alluring aromas of pain grille, spice box, cranberry, red currant, and black currant. This leads to an opulent Merlot with gobs of spicy red and black fruits, silky tannins that will support 4-6 years of further evolution, superb balance, and a lengthy, fruit-filled finish. It will provide prime-time drinking from 2012 to 2025.
Score: 95

Jay Miller, Wine Advocate, June 2008