Chateau Ste. Michelle Merlot Indian Wells 2005

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Starting at: $11^.97

13 Reviews

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Winery:

Chateau Ste. Michelle

Varietal:

Merlot

Region:

USA > Oregon > Columbia Valley

Type:

Red Wine

Color:

Drink Dates:

Drink Now

UPC:

 

User Tags:  stone fruits, resinous, color descriptors, plum, spices, oak, smooth, nose, caramel, body - medium 

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What to Expect

Merlot has gotten a bad rap as of late but there is no denying the wine's appeal. Packed with deep, dark berry fruit and nuanced hints of cocoa, herb and earth with a soft structure. Its velvety texture makes Merlot instantly appealing and an obvious alternative to similar, more tannic Bordeaux varieties.

Winemakers Notes

Tasting NotesThe Indian Wells Merlot displays ripe black fruit aromas and jammy flavors typical of Wahluke Slope reds. This is a full bodied, fruity style of warm climate Merlot with a round, soft finish. Wahluke Slope Syrah was added to the blend to enhance the mouthfeel and jammy fruit character. Enjoy it with a hearty pasta this wine will warm your soul and make any food taste better! -Bob Bertheau, WinemakerVintageThe 2005 harvest tested our winemakers patience, but ultimately delivered excellent quality fruit.The growing season started cool, followed by 90+ degree days in July and August.September read more...brought cool and constant weather, which extended the season, allowing grapes extra time to ripen on the vine and enhance flavor development.VineyardsThis Merlot is sourced predominately from vineyards throughout the Wahluke Slope in Washington state, including our Indian Wells Vineyard.Our most northern growing area, the Wahluke Slope is bordered on both the west and the south by the Columbia River.Indian Wells vineyard is a very warm site with a long growing season.The sites loamy, sandy, well-draining soils allow vine growth to be meticulously controlled through drip irrigation and canopy management.The region is a consistent producer of high quality, ripe fruit, yielding wine with intense color and flavor.WinemakingRipe grapes were destemmed, crushed and inoculated with various strains of yeast to maximize complexity.Gentle pumpovers were used to extract optimal flavor and color and minimize harsh tannins. The pumpovers can vary by block, tank and day of fermentation. Every ferment is tasted daily to evaluate the evolution of the tannins, modify extraction techniques and find the right moment to drain the wine off of its skins.Aged in American and French oak for 16 months.Frequent aerative racking took place during barrel aging to soften tannins and enhance mouthfeel.Technical DataAlcohol....14.4% pH.... 3.65Total Acidity.... 0.56g/100mlBlend.... 87% Merlot, 13% Syrah    (hide)

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