SR262, Columbia Valley (Washington) Merlot 2016

 A surprisingly good $15 wine, SR262 has bright, tasty fruit and a healthy amount of refreshing acidity on the finish.  It is very well balanced overall, and drinks well with any number of different foods — meatballs, sausage, moussaka — you name it.  Named for a scenic stretch of road in Washington State’s Columbia Valley (State Road 262), the wine is blended from six local vineyards, including Sundance and Hawk Ranch on the Wahluke Slope.  Merlot will always be the dominant grape depending on the vintage, but the 2016 blend is comprised of 85% Merlot, 10% Syrah and 5% Cabernet Sauvignon.  The Merlot and Syrah come straight from stainless steel, with the Cabernet getting 12 to 14 months in French Oak.