Chateau Ste. Michelle Merlot Columbia Valley Ethos Reserve 2010
Winemaker's Notes:
My goal with Ethos wines is to showcase the best of Washington for the varietal and the vintage. This wine makes a blending statement with Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah and Cabernet Franc. Merlot blends so well with other varieties for a more interesting wine. The wine offers blueberry fruit with wonderful complexity and rich layers. All of the fruit came from our Cold Creek estate vineyard.
Chateau Ste. Michelle:
Editorial Reviews for Chateau Ste. Michelle Merlot Columbia Valley Ethos Reserve
This is all dark cocoa, coffee, prune and plum fruit on the nose with a backing of sweet oaky spice, and surprising freshness, considering the aromas. Full, rich and smooth on the palate with nice heft, and lusciously ripe fruit that is well supported by ripe tannins and integrated acidity. The flavors are much like the aromas, a bit on the darker end of the spectrum with the spice tones from the oak being a bit more prominent. The finish shows more of the dark fruit note with cigarbox, milk chocolate, and tobacco notes and a suggestion of sweetness. If the flavors sound appealing this is a nice wine for you. 89pts
Member Reviews for Chateau Ste. Michelle Merlot Columbia Valley Ethos Reserve
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Tight nose, still young. Big acid and tannin on the palate. Good fruit, but needs more time to come together. 88 pts. 8/12/11 at Winery
On the nose, I found plum and blueberry with sweet spices and an underlying dark soil and chalk note that kept it rooted in the earth. On the palate, it was full-bodied with velvety textures, showing excellent balance with a mix of cherry and cranberry, herbs and bitter dark chocolate. The finish showed plums, green pepper and saline minerals with a slight tug of tannin reminding me of its fine structure. (92 points)
Nose of dark cherry and dark chocolate. Toasty dark red and black berry fruit on the palate. Also, flavors of cocoa and nice oak influence. Slight earthiness. Very nice wine! 94 pts 8/12/11 at Winery
TASTING NOTES “This is a sculpted wine with weight and complexity showcasing beautiful Washington fruit. The wine delivers concentrated fruit character with leather and chocolate notes. Fruit from our Cold Creek vineyard contributes power and concentration, while fruit from the Wahluke Slope adds a sweet fruit character. Pairings: Try this with steak, ribs or a leg of lamb.” Drinking window: Drink between 2010 and 2014 (based on 3 user opinions)
paint varnish and perhaps some cedar underneath is what comes to mind first, a little burnt, the palate is filled with dark berry cherry flavors, some plums, ends more with a tannic finish than the fruit
Big dark fruity powdery nose. Lots of ripe fruit and complexity in the mouth with a long powdery black cherry finish. Slightly chalky. Great stuff.
External Reviews for Chateau Ste. Michelle Merlot Columbia Valley Ethos Reserve
This is a powerful, complex Merlot with layers of rich fruit. More than half of the fruit came from our Canoe Ridge Estate vineyard, showing the evolution of the vineyard.
Cold Creek's 30-year-old vines deliver a big, bold Merlot. ThisMerlot is loaded with dark fruit flavors with hints of bittersweetchocolate. We added 22% Cold Creek Cabernet to soften the tanninsand contribute mouthfeel and layers of complexity
90 Points - Wine Advocate The 2005 Merlot Ethos contains 10% Cabernet Sauvignon, 4% Petit Verdot, and 2% Malbec in the blend. Opaque purple-colored, it has a fragrant bouquet of pain grille, earth notes, black cherry, and blackberry jam. This leads to a mouth-coating wine with good depth and concentration while retaining a sense of elegance. The balance and length of the finish suggest that this solid effort will evolve for 2-3 years and be at its best from 2011 to 2020. -Jay Miller, June 2008.
1200 produced.
Wine Specs:
| Total Acidity: 5.0 grams per liter |
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