Chateau Ste. Michelle 2011 Canoe Ridge Estate Merlot, Horse Heaven Hills
Great Northwest Invitational Wine Competition award: Best Merlot
Canoe Ridge Estate is a prized vineyard for head winemaker Bob Bertheau, and it delivered in the cool 2011 vintage. All of the red wines for Washington’s oldest winery are crushed, fermented, pressed and aged at the Canoe Ridge winemaking facility overlooking the Columbia River. Ripe just-picked summer blackberries, blueberries and cedar practically leap out as you sniff. In the mouth, the blackberries lead off and carry toward a finish of blueberry and chocolate, closing out with perfectly balanced sweet tannins.
Price: $26
Production: 6,500 cases
Alcohol: 14.5%
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