How do you produce millions of bottles of wine that are all of high quality? I am always blown away with how Chateau Ste. Michelle continues this trend as they produce a staggering 8 million bottles of Riesling a year — and it is all very well-made. Chateau Ste. Michelle is the oldest winery in Washington state. Originally founded as the American Wine Company, it is also one of the area’s most beautiful wineries, located on 87 acres that was once a rural farm. Many great Washington winemaking talents have come through Chateau Ste. Michellle, from Dan Wampfler to Jason Gorski. Chateau Ste. Michelle owns some of the state’s historic vineyards including the Cold Creek Vineyard which was founded in the 1970s.
They have utilized the talents of superstar winemaker, Bob Bertheau, for many years. Originally from Seattle, Bob has a MS in enology from the famed program at UC Davis. His new wines are seriously good, showing wonderful range and impressive quality to price ratio. The new 2017 Chateau Ste. Michelle Rose (WWB, 89) was almost instantly sold out. This is just a killer value at around ten dollars and shows wonderful minerality and delicate red fruit flavors. One of the great Riesling bottlings in the state, particularly at this price point, the 2016 Chateau Ste. Michelle ‘Eroica’ Riesling (WWB, 91) is the byproduct of one of the regions great partnerships between Chateau Ste. Michelle and epic winemaker Dr. Ernst Loosen. This is a Riesling to purchase by the case. Learn more about these fantastic new wines at https://www.ste-michelle.com Here are the recent releases by Chateau Ste. Michelle.
2017 Chateau St. Michelle Rose- The label implies a crisp Rose and that’s what you are delivered. Light red fruit aromatics connect with a zingy acidity that sits through the drinking experience. Seriously good, pair this awesome new Rose release with Kushi oysters. Drink 2018-2022- 89
2017 Chateau Ste. Michelle ‘Midsummer’s White’ White Wine- This enticing white wine is a complex blend of Chenin Blanc, Muscat Canali, Riesling, Gewurtztraminer and Semillon. The nose has candied ginger, white grapefruit and gooseberry aromas. Slightly sweet, with sterling minerality, green apple, gooseberry, teaberry and pink grapefruit flavors combine a beautiful melange. Enjoy while the strong minerality remains. Drink 2018-2022- 91
2015 Chateau Ste. Michelle ‘Canoe Ridge Estate’ Chardonnay- The ‘Canoe Ridge Estate’ Chardonnay starts off with hints of butterscotch, toasty brioche and roasted macadamia nut on the nose. This warm vintage white shows really good mid-palate weight as tree and citrus fruit flavors mingle with creamy overtones. Drink 2018-2024- 90
2016 Chateau Ste. Michelle ‘Eroica’ Riesling- Made in the Kabinette style, this Riesling begins with aromas of wet stone, Gravenstein apple and kumquat on the nose. In the glass the wine reveals a wonderful tension as green apple, wet stone and white flower flavors all mingle together nicely. The weight and minerality really drive this wine that shows a kiss of sweetness. Drink 2018-2024- 91
2014 Chateau Ste. Michelle ‘Cold Creek Vineyard’ Cabernet Sauvignon- Planted in the 1970s the Cold Creek Vineyard is a warm site that gained a strong reputation for some of the state’s best Cabernet. Deeply colored and perfumed, this warm vintage wine begins with cigar ash, Hoisin sauce and blackberry cobbler on the nose. The palate has really good weight and a nice sense of place. Blackberry cordial, mocha and tar flavors all combine nicely in the glass. Drink 2018-2028- 92