Today we share one of Washington’s most historic and famous wine partnerships, it was back in 1999 that Ernst Loosen of famed Dr. Loosen approached Chateau Ste. Michelle and their CEO Allen Shoup with the idea of joining forces after discovering the winery's Cold Creek Vineyard Riesling. The collaboration became one of the famed wine projects in the United States as ‘Eroica’ Riesling has been one of the benchmark Rieslings that you will find in North America.
Speaking with co-winemaker on ‘Eroica’, Chateau Ste. Michelle’s head winemaker Katie Nelson explained how much she enjoys working with Ernst Loosen. She explained “Ernst’s annual trip to Washington is always a highlight for us. It’s when we get to sit down together, taste and blend the next Eroica vintage, check in on our Eroica XLC tanks, and revisit some verticals. He always brings a fresh perspective and thoughtful feedback, which helps keep us sharp and moving the wines forward year after year. We love digging into the vintage, the vineyards, and what’s ahead… and honestly, his stories are always part of the fun.”
‘Eroica’ Riesling began with the 1999 vintage which is one of Nelson’s favorites. But she also explains a vastly different winemaking method than was utilized back in ’99. She explained “1999-the very first Eroica, still really stands out for me. It’s aged beautifully, especially when you think about how much our approach to growing Riesling has changed since then. Back in those early days, we were sourcing fruit from warmer Washington sites, reducing yields, and opening up canopies to get more sun exposure. Today, we do almost the opposite. We’re careful to avoid too much sun, focus on cooler, later‑ripening sites, and steer clear of anything that limits yield. That lets us extend hang time and ultimately make wines that are built to age.”
The new 2024 ‘Eroica’ Riesling (OB, 93) is a stellar, gorgeous edition of this wine that exudes class and value. Nelson explained that this new wine comes mainly from the Evergreen Vineyard which is a “cool, high‑elevation vineyard in the Ancient Lakes of the Columbia Valley, right near the Columbia River. These moderating effects allow us to hang the Riesling longer on the vine and still get great balance, even in a warm growing season” she explained.
To Nelson, making this wine in 2024 was about “warm days paired with cool nights through the summer kept botrytis pressure very low. Harvest began in mid-October, which is typical timing for Eroica picks.”
I had the chance to taste many of the older ‘Eroica’ wines and was completely shocked how well they had held. Even the first vintage, the 1999 ‘Eroica’ (OB, 90) had good freshness and flavor range. I was so impressed with the 2011 ‘Eroica’ (OB, 93) which has consistently been one of my favorite vintages of this wine, and is also one of Nelson’s favorite, along with the amazing 2010 ‘Eroica’ (OB, 92)
Congrats to Chateau Ste. Michelle and their amazing impact in Washington wine and helping put Washington Riesling on not only the national but international wine scene. Learn more about this special wine at and here are my reviews of this incredible vertical tasting of Chateau Ste. Michelle ‘Eroica’ Riesling.
1999 Chateau Ste. Michelle ‘Eroica’ Riesling- In 1999 Ernst Loosen approached Chateau Ste. Michelle with the idea of joining forces after discovering the winery's Cold Creek Vineyard Riesling. This is the inaugural edition of this wine that is still hanging on — showing that Washington Riesling can really cellar well for over 20 years if stored correctly. Light melon and citrus rind fruits collide with wet stone and kerosene accents on the palate. Drink 2026-2028- 90
2002 Chateau Ste. Michelle ‘Eroica’ Riesling- Another beautifully evolved Riesling, the 2002 Chateau Ste. Michelle ‘Eroica’ comes from one of the great vintages in Washington history. This is a remarkable showing, as plenty of melon fruit remains both aromatically and on the palate. White flowers and lychee notes combine with suggestions of green apple and flinty nuances on the palate. Drink 2026-2030- 92
2004 Chateau Ste. Michelle ‘Eroica’ Riesling- Very evolved and showing well considering its age, the 2004 Chateau Ste. Michelle ‘Eroica’ Riesling is starting to lose some fruit flavors but has great petrol and mineral-character alongside honeydew and lime zest flavors. Enjoy over the next few years. Drink 2026-2031- 91
2010 Chateau Ste. Michelle ‘Eroica’ Riesling- An amazing rendition of this wine from a slightly cooler vintage, the 2010 Chateau Ste. Michelle ‘Eroica’ Riesling is showing remarkably well at the 16 year mark. It is elegant and nicely textured and weighted stuff, still loaded with citrus and melon fruit flavors alongside good tension. Enjoy over the next few years. Drink 2026-2031- 92
2011 Chateau Ste. Michelle ‘Eroica’ Riesling- Always one of my favorite ‘Eroica’ bottlings, the 2011 Chateau Ste. Michelle ‘Eroica’ Riesling is the lone very cold vintage wine amongst this tasting. It is more lean and linear but still packs plenty of mouth-watering acidity. Lemon/lime flavors combine with hints of starfruit and wet rocky accents on the palate. Enjoy now. Drink 2026-2031- 93
2014 Chateau Ste. Michelle ‘Eroica’ Riesling- A wine that has beautifully evolved, the 2014 ‘Eroica’ Riesling is an impressive showing now at the 12 year mark. Kiwi, freshly cut limes and stony minerals collide on the palate, as this still comes off quite fresh despite its age. Enjoy now. Drink 2026-2032- 93
2024 Chateau Ste. Michelle ‘Eroica’ Riesling- An amazing edition of this wine, the 2024 ‘Eroica’ Riesling sits fat and round on the mouth, with bright underlying acidity. Pear and sourdough bread flavors collide with wet rock and copious minerals on the palate. Enjoy this beauty now and over the next eight years to come. Drink 2025-2033- 93
2021 Chateau Ste. Michelle ‘Eroica XLC Dry’ Riesling- Very nervy and incredibly-textured, the 2021 ‘Eroica XLC Dry’ Riesling is a stunning GG-inspired bottling by winemaker Katie Nelson. Once on the nose this shows off wet slate and petrol notes alongside Japanese pear and hints of star jasmine. The palate is dense and mineral-laden with incredible length. Gorgeous now, this is only starting to hit its stride. Drink 2026-2038- 95
2017 Chateau Ste. Michelle ‘Eroica Single Berry Select’ Riesling- From a tiny bottle a behemoth of a wine emerges as the 2017 ‘Eroica Single Berry Select’ Riesling is easily the best dessert wine made in Washington State. This TBA-inspired bottling oozes with honey, butterscotch, poached pear and candied apple flavors that all seamlessly combine with the silky texture. Weightless, dense and utterly sensational to enjoy now, this will easily be a 20 year wine. Drink 2026-2046- 100