Chateau Ste. Michelle 2010 Cold Creek Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon, Columbia Valley, $30
Cold Creek Vineyard was planted in the early 1970s. In 1978, nearly the entire vineyard was lost to a devastatingly cold winter, but Ste. Michelle replanted, and now Cold Creek is one of the winery’s true gems. This classic Cab from winemaker Bob Bertheau is a tribute to the superb fruit that comes from Cold Creek, which is north of the Yakima Valley. It opens with aromas of mint, smoke, maple syrup and boysenberry, followed by rich flavors of coffee, dark chocolate, tarragon, blackberry and strawberry-rhubarb pie. It’s backed with fine-grained tannins that provide a long finish and stay out of the way. This is a rich, decadent wine.
Rating: Outstanding!
Production: 5,000 cases
Alcohol: 15%
Bill Richey says
Andy: Love your work on WA wines. On your recent newsletter, you looked at top cabs from OR Vinyards. I’ve got to throw Tero Estates in there for his cabs. Doug makes amazing cabs (3 different cabs from specific blocks of his estate Vinyards) and they are some of the best I’ve ever tasted. In case you haven’t met Doug (owner/winemaker) he is a fabulous winemaker, and a great guy!
Bill Richey
Andy Perdue says
Hi, Bill.
Thank you for the note and kind words. I have visited Tero tasting room at the Marcus Whitman, but I don’t think we’ve tasted its wines. I appreciate the heads up and will seek them out.