Many of you might not know that we have the world’s largest producer of Riesling right in our backyard. Chateau Ste. Michelle produces millions of bottles of wine — a staggering 8 million bottles of Riesling a year — and the most remarkable part is the Riesling is very good. The oldest winery in Washington state, Chateau Ste. Michelle was originally founded as the American Wine Company, set 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.
For many years Chateau Ste. Michelle has led by superstar winemaker, Bob Bertheau, who has crafted some beautiful red and white wines with his team. Newly minted winemaker Katie Nelson takes over this program and she has a wealth of experience as she was formerly with Charles Smith and served as Columbia Crest head winemaker.
For this call we were joined with Ernie Loosen who is from famed Dr. Loosen winery in the Mosel Valley in Germany. Ernie was taking this call at nearly midnight his time but he shared the story about starting the Eroica project which was such an iconic move. I had the chance to try the new Riesling wines with he and David Rosenthal, Chateau Ste. Michelle white winemaker and they both reveled in this tasting experience. I adored the 2018
Chateau Ste. Michelle ‘Eroica’ Riesling (OB, 93) which showed brilliantly and has a richer texture than the 2017 bottling but is every bit as good. I tasted an extremely rare wine which is the best dessert wine that I have tried from the Pacific Northwest in the past year. The 2011 Chateau Ste. Michelle ‘Single Berry Select’ Dessert Wine (OB, 99) flirts with perfection in its unctuous goodness. This is a heavyweight that is sure to delight any serious collector of dessert wine. Learn more about these fantastic new wines at https://www.ste-michelle.com Here are the recent Riesling releases by Chateau Ste. Michelle.
2018 Chateau Ste. Michelle ‘Eroica’ Riesling- The 2018 Chateau Ste. Michelle ‘Eroica’ Riesling is an awesome new release that is on the bigger style for this brand. Made in the Kabinett style, the freshness and sense of texture is seriously good. Ripe mango, lemon rind and kiwi tones mingle with wet stone and shades of petrol on the palate. Gorgeous now, this will cellar well over the next seven plus years. Drink 2021-2028- 92
2016 Chateau Ste. Michelle ‘Eroica XLC’ Riesling- This big, GG style Riesling shows off a gorgeous sense of texture. Layers of mango and honey mingle with pink grapefruit and stony undertones on the palate. Showing off its soft texture, wait for a long and inviting finish at the end. Broad-shouldered and generous, this has some seriously good aging potential. Drink 2021-2035- 94
2014 Chateau Ste. Michelle ‘Eroica Gold’ Riesling- The 2014 ‘Eroica Gold’ Riesling is a spectacular wine from this warm vintage that is truly shining now at the seven year mark. On the nose this takes on honey and apricot tones with shoes of wet stone and damp earth. The palate is fresh and vibrant with great acidity and length. The viscosity impresses, as does the exceedingly long finish. This gorgeous wine has a long way to go in the cellar. Drink 2021-2038- 94
2016 Chateau Ste. Michelle ‘Eroica Ice Wine’ Riesling- The 2016 ‘Eroica Ice Wine’ is an exotic, beautifully textured wine that is utterly sensational at the six year mark. Honey and lemon creme brûlée tones mingle with lime zest and apricot jelly on this gorgeous bouquet. The palate is thick, viscous and impeccably textured and balanced. Layers of honey and candied ginger mingle with kumquat and shades of cardamom dusted shortbread on the palate. The length and sense of viscosity here is nothing short of spectacular. Drink 2021-2050- 97
2011 Chateau Ste. Michelle ‘Single Berry Select’ Riesling- The 2011 ‘Single Berry Select’ Riesling is an utterly breathtaking wine that is up there with the best wines I have tasted from Washington over the past year. Massively viscous and seamless throughout the drinking experience, this TBA style Riesling is utterly sensational now at the tend year mark. Ripe apricot and mango flavors combine with minerals, vanilla creme brulee, marzipan, bananas foster and shades of honey infused cantaloupe round out this absolutely scintillating wine. This is the gold standard for Pacific Northwest dessert wine. Drink 2021-2060- 99