A New Standout in Washington State Merlot at a Remarkable $12 Retail
December 1, 2025 (Rolling Hills, CA) — Castle Rock Winery is proud to announce that its 2023 Columbia Valley Merlot has received an outstanding 90-point score from James Suckling—an achievement rarely seen at the $12 retail price point.
As a family-owned winery committed to authenticity, Castle Rock sources exclusively from California, Washington, and Oregon—the West Coast regions that deliver genuine quality and character. The winery does not use imported bulk wine from Chile, Argentina, or other foreign sources, as such practices undermine quality and regional integrity.
Founded in 1994, Castle Rock Winery has spent more than 30 years crafting authentic West Coast wines of exceptional quality and everyday value through long-term relationships with premier growers across California, Oregon, and Washington.
A 90-Point Merlot from Washington’s Columbia Valley
James Suckling’s review highlights the wine’s depth and balance:
“Aromas of plums, blackberries, cocoa, dried herbs and cedar. The palate is full-bodied with soft tannins and a smooth, rounded texture, giving flavors of dark fruit and spices. Drink now. Screw cap.”
Castle Rock Founder and President Greg Popovich spoke to the significance of the release:
“We’ve been proud to work with Columbia Valley fruit for more than two decades. This Merlot represents what we strive for—authentic West Coast wines of exceptional quality at accessible prices.”
Exceptional Value at $12 Retail
From a national sales standpoint, Stephen Ross, VP and National Sales Manager, emphasized the rarity of the achievement:
“You rarely see wines at $12 retail scoring anywhere near 90 points. Scores like this are usually reserved for wines at $25 and above. This Merlot shows why Castle Rock continues to stand out nationwide.”
Strong Consumer Excitement
On the engagement side, Adriana Popovich, Director of Social Media, notes the momentum online:
“What excites me most is how much love this Merlot is already getting on social media. People want delicious, affordable wines they can share with friends—and share online. A 90-point Merlot at $12 is exactly the kind of discovery our community loves to post about.”
Additional Recent 90-Point Scores from James Suckling
The 2023 Columbia Valley Merlot joins a growing list of Castle Rock wines recognized this year:
- 2024 Castle Rock Pinot Noir, California Cuvée — 90 Points
(Oct 22, 2025 — Avg retail: $12) - 2024 Castle Rock Monterey County Rosé of Pinot Noir — 90 Points
(June 30, 2025 — Avg retail: $12) - 2022 Castle Rock Zinfandel, Lodi — 90 Points
(June 30, 2025 — Avg retail: $14)
These new ratings reinforce Castle Rock’s reputation for delivering high-scoring wines at remarkably accessible prices.
Part of a Growing Portfolio of Award-Winning Wines
The 2023 Columbia Valley Merlot strengthens Castle Rock’s expanding family of acclaimed wines, including:
- Kosmic Kitty Wines — 100% California-grown and recently earning multiple 90-point scores. In addition to its vibrant branding and consumer appeal, Kosmic Kitty reflects Castle Rock’s long-standing sustainability commitments across all of South Bay Wine Group’s brands. Reducing bottle weight has been an essential part of our philosophy for years. Guided by our goal to offer consumers more environmentally responsible products, we’ve consistently worked to lower the impact of our packaging across all of South Bay Wine Group’s brands.
- Dressage Wines — produced in partnership with Olympic dressage rider Sabine Schut-Kery, featuring elegant Monterey County Pinot Noir.
All Castle Rock wines are bottled in Santa Rosa, California and distributed nationally through South Bay Wine Group.
About Castle Rock Winery
Founded in 1994, Castle Rock Winery has become one of the nation’s leading producers of premium West Coast wines. Family-owned and proudly independent, Castle Rock partners with top growers across California, Washington, and Oregon to craft wines celebrated for their quality, consistency, and value. With more than three decades of award-winning releases—including numerous 90-point scores and dozens of Best Buy accolades—Castle Rock remains committed to making exceptional wines accessible to everyday consumers. All wines are bottled in Santa Rosa, California, and distributed nationwide through South Bay Wine Group.
