Winery - Chateau Ste. Michelle
* Expert NoteJanuary 12, 2012
As with the Indian Wells Cabernet, winemaker Bob Bertheau is using a considerable amount of Syrah (19%) to beef up the flavors. The Merlot here seems a bit light, it fades out in midpalate. There is a chalkiness to the finish, and the tannins are just a little green.
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* Expert NoteJanuary 12, 2012
Ripe and fruity, loaded with soft, plush, blackberry/black cherry fruit. This is a sweet, soft, open and forward style—a rather dramatic shift in style that was sparked, no doubt, by newly-installed, California-trained winemaker Bob Bertheau, who guided this vintage from the start. Though delicious and ripe, it could stand to be tightened up a bit.
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* Expert NoteJanuary 12, 2012
Cold Creek is one of Stimson Lane's premier properties, and this vineyard selection, froma a wonderful Washington vintage, shows it at it's best. Sweet, plump fruit, vivid and forward, is married to medium acids and soft tannins, with a smooth, chocolately finish.
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* Expert NoteJanuary 12, 2012
This is as close to Bordeaux as you’ll find in Washington, which is to say, darn close indeed. Cassis and earth, leaf and barrel mingle in the seductive nose. The wine, rich and ripe and deep, slowly opens to reveal layer upon layer of fruit, amplified with darker, mineral accents. Defining acids and a subtle hint of oak complete the experience.
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* Expert NoteJanuary 12, 2012
Pure Cabernet Sauvignon from older vines, the Cold Creek bottling often begins life rather compact, even hard, and will usually benefit from some years of bottle age. This 2005 is a tough, somewhat stemmy wine, with tightly wound black fruits, herbs and leather wrapped into its core. Tannic and unyielding, even after some hours of breathing time, it is a bit too soon to know exactly how good it will ultimately become.
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* Expert NoteJanuary 12, 2012
Cold Creek, which is actually quite a warm site in the Columbia Valley, mixes a crisp, acid-driven backbone with lightly tropical flavors of pineapple and mango. In the middle is a streak of fat butterscotch, leading to a silky finish. —P.G.
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* Expert NoteJanuary 12, 2012
Sharp and spicy, the Ethos Syrah adds layers and expands into fullness as it breathes over several hours. At first tannic and slightly green, it becomes more and more appealing, the peppery fruit filling out with wild berries and tart acids.
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* Expert NoteJanuary 12, 2012
The Artist Series blend is quite Cabernet-centric in 2006—58% Cabernet Sauvignon, 35% Merlot, 6% Malbec and just a splash of Petit Verdot. Aromatic and loaded with sweet blackberry fruit, backed with black olive and clean earth, this polished effort shows excellent midpalate concentration and a nicely sculpted finish.
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* Expert NoteJanuary 12, 2012
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* Expert NoteJanuary 12, 2012
Chateau Ste. Michelle makes more Riesling than any winery in the country, and this bottling, at 553,500 cases, may qualify as the largest single Riesling production in the world. It’s a great bottle of wine, priced for everyday consumption, yet loaded with fresh fruit flavors of peach, pear and melon. Washington state built its white wine reputation on Riesling, and Riesling is more popular than ever before (statewide it is the third most planted grape, and production is up 23 percent in the past two years). This version is off-dry, lightly spiced and perfectly framed by vibrant acids.
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