You might not know that Chateau Ste. Michelle produces a staggering 8 million bottles of Riesling a year. The consistency of these wines is incredible, as Washington’s oldest winery continues to hit home runs with their Riesling program. Chateau Ste. Michelle was originally founded as American Wine Company, which was set on 87 acres on what was once a rural farm. I’ve been amazed by the 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.
Katie Nelson serves as head winemaker and she has a wealth of experience as she was formerly with Charles Smith and also formerly served as Columbia Crest head winemaker. David Rosenthal is in charge of white wine production at Chateau Ste. Michelle and has been doing a consistently great job managing this program.
I love the new 2020 Chateau Ste. Michelle ‘Eroica’ Riesling (OB, 92) which has no issues from smoke and is beautifully textured with just a touch of sweetness. 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 2013 Chateau Ste. Michelle ‘Single Berry Select’ Dessert Wine (OB, 99) which is one of the great wines that I have tasted in the past year. This will surely 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.
2020 Chateau Ste. Michelle ‘Eroica’ Riesling- This is now a 20 year partnership between Chateau Ste. Michelle and Dr. Loosen, as this wine is made in the Kabinett style. The level of minerality expressed is sensational here, as the smooth texture and bright kiwi, starfruit and lemon zest drive this wine, with plenty of stony character. Enjoy this beauty over the next seven plus years. Drink 2022-2029- 92
2018 Chateau Ste. Michelle ‘XLC’ Dry Riesling- The ‘XLC’ Dry Riesling is a newer project by Dr. Loosen and Chateau Ste. Michelle which involves less contact for 22 months, as this is done I the Grosses Gewachs style. Suggestions of kumquat dusted shortbread and gooseberry mingle well with Gravenstein apple tones on the palate. Viscous and intense, wait for the exceedingly long finish. This beauty can easily age for another decade. Drink 2022-2032- 94
2019 Chateau Ste. Michelle ‘Eroica Ice Wine’ Dessert Wine- Super dense on the mouth, the 2019 Chateau Ste. Michelle ‘Eroica Ice Wine’ is a superlative offering by this famed Woodinville winery. Honey and starfruit with papaya copious minerals all come together on the palate. With glorious length and viscosity this beautiful line will surely cellar sell or another twenty years. Drink 2022-2046- 96
2013 Chateau Ste. Michelle ‘Single Berry Select’ Riesling- The star of the show is the intense, unadulterated 2013 ‘Single Berry Select’ Riesling which pushes perfection in a bottle. The aromatic range is extraordinary, from baking spice dusted marzipan to quince and lychee tones alongside suggestions of roasted pineapple. Once on the mouth you are greeted to a serious viscosity, with an underlying tension that holds everything brilliantly in place. Candied ginger and mango tones combine with bananas foster, and butterscotch dusted pineapple upside-down cake on the palate. With more air layers of lemon zest and toasty brioche add to the enjoyment, with stony mineral undercurrents. Finishing exceedingly long, this majestic beast of a dessert wine is amongst the finest wines from North America that I have tasted in the past year. Drink 2021-2060- 99