Goose Ridge Vineyards, Columbia Valley (Washington) Merlot 2019

 This light-bodied Merlot sports a dark ruby color and aromas of black cherry, blackberry jam and vanilla with citrus high notes.  In the mouth, juicy blackberry, strawberry, vanilla flavors are lifted by crisp acidity finish with sturdy tannins.  The label of the 2019 “g3" wines from Goose Ridge Vineyards show the appellation as Columbia Valley.  Future labels will sport the newly created Goose Gap AVA, American Viticultural Area.  In a press release announcement of the new wine region Alan Busacca Ph.D., who wrote the AVA petition said  “The AVA takes its name from a saddle of land known as ‘Goose Gap’ which was named because it was a flyway for geese between rivers, providing hunters with an exceptional site for hunting.”