Chateau Ste Michelle Merlot 2012
(Columbia Valley, Washington)
Regular price $18.00 Sale price $12.99 Save $5.01
Notes from the Winemaker:
“We craft this wine to be our complex yet approachable Merlot. The wine offers aromas of black cherry, leather and spice with layers of rich dark red fruit flavors and a long, smooth, sweet finish. A touch of Syrah adds a jammy fruit character. I think of this wine as a great “everyday red.†- Bob Bertheau, Head Winemaker
VINTAGE
• 2012 was a return to the “classic†Washington vintage and a much welcomed change from the cooler 2010 and 2011 vintages.
• Bud break started slightly earlier than normal but cooler temperatures through the early summer delayed veraison slightly.
• A warming trend began in late July and dry conditions through mid-October were ideal for fruit ripening.
VINEYARDS
• Columbia Valley vineyards lie in the rain shadow of the Cascade Mountains and receive just 6-8 inches of rainfall annually.
• Warm, sunny days and cool evening temperatures create ideal conditions for intense aroma and flavor development in the ripening grapes.
• A northerly latitude gives the Columbia Valley roughly two more hours of sunlight daily during the peak-growing season than California, increasing the region’s ability to ripen fruit.
WINEMAKING
• Ripe grapes were destemmed and inoculated with various strains of yeast to maximize complexity.
• Gentle pumpovers during fermentation were used to extract color and flavor and produce soft, supple tannins.
• Aged 14 months in French and American oak, 30% new.
TECHNICAL DATA
Total acidity = 0.52g/100ml
pH = 3.78
Alcohol = 13.5%
Blend 92% Merlot, 3% Syrah, 5% blenders (Malbec, Grenache, Mourvedre and Petit Verdot)
FOOD PAIRING
Foods: beef, lamb, grilled salmon, hearty pastas
Herbs: basil, oregano
Spice: Allspice, nutmeg, star anise
VINTAGE
• 2012 was a return to the “classic†Washington vintage and a much welcomed change from the cooler 2010 and 2011 vintages.
• Bud break started slightly earlier than normal but cooler temperatures through the early summer delayed veraison slightly.
• A warming trend began in late July and dry conditions through mid-October were ideal for fruit ripening.
VINEYARDS
• Columbia Valley vineyards lie in the rain shadow of the Cascade Mountains and receive just 6-8 inches of rainfall annually.
• Warm, sunny days and cool evening temperatures create ideal conditions for intense aroma and flavor development in the ripening grapes.
• A northerly latitude gives the Columbia Valley roughly two more hours of sunlight daily during the peak-growing season than California, increasing the region’s ability to ripen fruit.
WINEMAKING
• Ripe grapes were destemmed and inoculated with various strains of yeast to maximize complexity.
• Gentle pumpovers during fermentation were used to extract color and flavor and produce soft, supple tannins.
• Aged 14 months in French and American oak, 30% new.
TECHNICAL DATA
Total acidity = 0.52g/100ml
pH = 3.78
Alcohol = 13.5%
Blend 92% Merlot, 3% Syrah, 5% blenders (Malbec, Grenache, Mourvedre and Petit Verdot)
FOOD PAIRING
Foods: beef, lamb, grilled salmon, hearty pastas
Herbs: basil, oregano
Spice: Allspice, nutmeg, star anise
Ratings & Reviews
93 Points & "Best Buy" - Wine & Spirits Magazine (2007 Vintage):
"This shows the best aspects of the wonderful Washington 07's - energy, elegant fruit, persistence - adorned by a little bit of bottle age. It has taken on notes of carob, creosote and cedar, and it is those earthy, savory elements that give the wine tremendous complexity for the price. For a lean cut of meat, like skirt steak." (06/11)
"This shows the best aspects of the wonderful Washington 07's - energy, elegant fruit, persistence - adorned by a little bit of bottle age. It has taken on notes of carob, creosote and cedar, and it is those earthy, savory elements that give the wine tremendous complexity for the price. For a lean cut of meat, like skirt steak." (06/11)