With the holidays season upon us, we wanted to feature one of the most popular producers of Sparkling Wine in North America, Domaine Ste. Michelle. One of the most recognizable Sparkling Wine brands, you would be hard pressed to find a better Sparkling Wine value than Domaine St. Michelle. Domaine Ste. Michelle relies on the winemaking talents of Paula Eakin. She has more than 20 years of experience making wines in Washington state as part of Ste. Michelle Wine Estates and began career at Chateau Ste. Michelle’s Canoe Ridge Estate winery as a lab technician in 1994 shortly after college. In 2001, she joined Columbia Crest as an enologist and was then promoted to assistant winemaker in 2004, working with entirely white varietals. A Northwest native, Eakin was born in Spokane, Washington, and raised in northern Idaho and Kennewick, Washington. She earned a degree in food and nutrition at the University of Idaho prior to coming to Ste. Michelle.
Her new release wines were exceptional, particularly considering their price point. One of the outstanding values in Washington wine, the NV Domaine Ste. Michelle ‘Michelle Brut’ Sparkling Wine (WWB, 89) delivers wonderful mousse and a lovely range. Their high end bottling, the NV Domaine Ste. Michelle ‘Luxe’ Sparkling Wine (WWB, 92) was downright delicious, which showed range and poise up there with the best producers of Sparkling Wine in North America. Learn more about these great wines at https://www.michellesparkling.com Here are the outstanding new releases by Domaine Ste. Michelle.
NV Domaine Ste. Michelle ‘Michelle Brut’ Sparkling Wine- Balanced and poised the wine shows off Pink Lady apple flavors that sit alongside some brisk minerality. Finishing with nice effervescence, this is an outstanding effort by St. Michelle. Drink 2017-2022- 89
NV Domaine Ste. Michelle ‘Michelle Dry Brut ’ Sparkling Wine- Aromas of biscuit and citrus blossom hit you instantly. Slightly sweet, the wine shows off pink grapefruit, orange blossom and Pazzaz apple flavors sitting alongside some brisk acidity. This is extremely well-made considering the price. Drink 2017-2022- 89
NV Domaine Ste. Michelle Brut Rose Sparkling Wine- This gorgeous Rose Sparkling Wine begins with aromas of rose petals, orange rind and suggestions of wild strawberry. Beautifully astringent, the wine shows off guava, New York apple and strawberry jelly flavors that connect well with the minerality. Drink 2017-2022- 90
NV Domaine Ste. Michelle ‘Luxe’ Sparkling Wine- This is the first non-vintage ‘Luxe’ bottling that I have seen. Previously made from the 2010 and 2011 vintages, this wine is a blend of recent vintages that is largely a blend of Chardonnay and Pinot Noir. Showing a golden hue, the wine showcases aromatics of brioche, marzipan, orange blossom and suggestions of baked apple. You have to love the weight on the mid-palate that shows a different level of intensity than the other St. Michelle Sparkling Wines. Brioche, baking spices, New York apple, ginger and marzipan flavors connect with a bright acidity. A long ager this wine will cellar well for a decade or more. Drink 2017-2027- 92