Chateau Sainte Michelle Canoe Ridge Estate Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon 2004

Not bad, but I expected more from a (regularly priced) $30 bottle of cab.

October 2007

Blend: 96% Cabernet Sauvignon, 2% Malbec, 2% Merlot 2004 marked Bob Bertheau's first red wine harvest for ChateauSte. Michelle, where he managed the red winemaking from startto finish for the first time. His goal was to produce a softermouthfeel and enhanced complexity for the red wines, whilehighlighting the elegance of Canoe Ridge Estate fruit. The 2004 Canoe Ridge Estate Cabernet delivers black cherry fruit,spicy oak, leather and sweet caramel characters. Its soft,elegant, slightly dusty finish is typical of Canoe RidgeEstate. This wine shows the more subtle side ofWashington read more...Cabernet. It doesn't hit you over the head, butrather gently entices you with seductive fruit and spicelayers. Try this with penne pasta marinara or vealscaloppini. Those slightly dusty Tuscan tannins are agreat match with Italian foods.    (hide)

Pretty scents of cinnamon start things off; the flavors show cherry pipe tobacco and plenty of black cherry and cassis fruit. Firm and tannic, it wraps its Bordeaux-style flavors in leaf and leather.

"Cabernet from this 30-year-old vineyard always delivers power, structure and rich concentrated black fruit. The 2005 bottling offers dense aromas of boysenberry and brown sugar spice with layers of fruit with nicely integrated, yet very age-worthy, tannins. This is classic Cold Creek, and classic Washington state Cabernet. It demands a good rib eye!"
- Bob Bertheau, Head Winemaker

November 2008

The Wine News rating: 90

Rating: Bronze - As reviewed by Seattle Wine Awards on 4/28/2007