It is my pleasure to present Washington State’s founding winery, Chateau Ste. Michelle. I have enjoyed tasting and purchasing these wines for decades. The winery has had changes in recent years but continues to make an incredible array of wines at a fair price.
Winemaker Katie Nelson has Riesling dialed in. She has a longstanding history in the industry formerly with Charles Smith and also head winemaker at Columbia Crest. I love the new 2023 Chateau Ste. Michelle ‘Dry’ Riesling (OB, 90) which is a steal and impresses with bright minerality and good flavor range. Even better is the sensational 2023 Chateau Ste. Michelle ‘Eroica’ Riesling (OB, 93) which is dense and also nervy with lovely texture. Learn more about these outstanding wines at https://www.ste-michelle.com/ and here are my reviews of the new wines by Chateau Ste. Michelle.
2023 Chateau Ste. Michelle ‘Dry’ Riesling- Floral and showing vibrant peach tones, the 2023 ‘Dry’ Riesling offers juicy pear and starfruit notes with light petrol accents. Drink 2025-2030- 90
2023 Chateau Ste. Michelle ‘Eroica’ Riesling- The 2023 ‘Eroica’ Riesling is made in the Kabinette style. This comes off fat on the tongue. Nectarine, oyster shell and passion fruit tones combine with lemon rind and kerosene on the palate. This is really good stuff that has a long way to go in the cellar. Drink 2025-2032- 93
2024 Estival Sauvignon Blanc- Entirely sourced from the Horse Heaven Hills AVA, the 2024 ‘Estival’ is brilliantly textured stuff with serious stuffing and freshness. Kiwi and gooseberry notes combine with freshly cut salted limes on the palate. Drink 2025-2031- 92
2023 Chateau Ste. Michelle ‘Canoe Ridge Estate’ Chardonnay- The 2023 Chateau Ste. Michelle ‘Canoe Ridge Estate’ Chardonnay offers a killer nose with brioche and starfruit alongside honeydew melon. The palate is deep and concentrated with serious acidity and richness, alongside glorious length. Drink 2025-2032- 93
2022 Chateau Ste. Michelle ‘Canoe Ridge Estate’ Cabernet Sauvignon- The 2022 Chateau Ste. Michelle ‘Canoe Ridge Estate’ Cabernet Sauvignon is a gorgeous new effort from the Horse Heaven Hills AVA. Tar, anise and tobacco leaf, chocolate and dried herbs meld well with red bell pepper and dense dark fruits on the palate. Drink 2025-2032- 92
2022 Chateau Ste. Michelle ‘Artist Series’ Cabernet Sauvignon- The 2022 ‘Artist Series’ is a unique blend for this wine, utilizing 49% Merlot with 30% Cabernet Sauvignon and the remainder Cabernet Franc. Inky in the glass, this comes up fat, round and juicy on the palate, with impeccable balance and serious weight and length. Chocolate covered kirsch and loganberry fruit flavors collide with graphite, sandalwood and shades of pencil lead on the palate. Drink 2025-2039- 94