Wine Peeps is an independent wine blog dedicated to helping you get the most bang for your buck in wine. We do this through blind tastings of wine from around the world and calculations of 
A Wine for Tonight: 2007 Milbrandt Traditions Merlot
By Kori ~ May 6th, 2010.
Would you like a quick suggestion for a good wine to drink tonight (or this weekend) that won’t break your budget and is widely available? Many of our readers have said this is something they would like, so here is this week’s selection, the 2007 Milbrandt Traditions Merlot from the Columbia Valley of Washington State.
Our selection criteria include:
- A very good Quality rating of >=3.5 stars (out of 5)
- A price tag of <=$15
- Must be widely available
Brothers Butch and Jerry Milbrandt planted their first vines in Washington’s Columbia Valley and Wahluke Slope in 1997. Today, Milbrandt Vineyards is comprised of 13 vineyard sites totaling 1600 acres. After selling their grapes to wineries throughout Washington for years, the Milbrandts hired winemaker Gordon Hill and launched their own winery in 2005. The Milbrandt Vineyards tasting room is located in Prosser, Washington.
“When grown in the proper places, Merlot produces some of the world’s greatest wines. Eastern Washington just happens to be a proper place. Our Traditions Merlot is deep and lush with cassis, blueberries, toast and vanilla.†–Winemaker Gordon Hill
2007 Milbrandt Traditions Merlot (Columbia Valley, Washington): 79% Merlot, 17% Cabernet Sauvignon, 2% Malbec, 2% Petite Sirah. Medium-deep ruby red in color. Beautiful bouquet with black licorice, Peppermint Pattie, and a hint of oak. More Peppermint Pattie as well as black and blue fruits on the palate. Medium-bodied and crisp with medium tannins. Well-balanced and smooth with a long finish.
Quality: 4 stars (out of 5)
QPR: 5 bangs for your buck (out of 5)
Where to buy: Fred Meyer (Seattle, Washington), $13.79; Available elsewhere, $11 to $16
Filed under: A Wine for Tonight, American Wine, Five-Bangs For Your Buck Wines, Merlot, Red Wine, Washington State Wine, Wines Under $15, Wines Under $20, Wines Under $25
Ha! Sitting here sipping this very wine, and I agree with you – good stuff!
Jen,
That’s great! Glad to hear you enjoy it too. Cheers!
Milbrandt wines are all excellent. Check out the other labels my company designed for them at http://blendseattle.com/Brand_Portfolio/Milbrandt.html