- VineLines Dispatch: Harvest surrounding Lake Chelan
- Northwest restaurateurs purchase Basel Cellars in Walla Walla
- Hayden Homes CEO buys interest in Pepper Bridge, Amavi wineries
- Walla Walla Community College to receive $15 million gift from MacKenzie Scott
- Brian Carter Cellars adds Latin influence with marketing hire
- VineLines Dispatch: A Gorgeous look at harvest
- Goose Ridge hires Peter Devison as winemaking consultant
- Tri-City winemaker Palencia partners on Culture Shock mobile catering
- Armstrong Family Winery turns Discovery Vineyard Syrah into best wine at Great Northwest Invitational
- VineLines Dispatch: Harvest of Walla Walla Valley
Chateau Ste. Michelle 2011 Canoe Ridge Estate Chardonnay, Horse Heaven Hills, $22
The estate vineyards overlooking the Columbia River along the Horse Heaven Hills are often overlooked as keys to the continued success of Chateau Ste. Michelle. In this case, it’s Canoe Ridge Estate, and white winemaker Wendy Stuckey’s approach for this vintage included a French oak program using 47% new barrels with 10 months of surlie aging. That explains the nose of toasted oak and butterscotch, but there’s a pleasing backing of Golden Delicious apple and dried pineapple with hints of coriander and fresh dill. Tropical flavors of guava and mango lead the way as butterscotch takes over the midpalate before yielding to a finish of pear, apple and quince. Suggested pairings include crab cakes, pork tenderloin and salmon.
Rating: Excellent
Production: 2,500 cases
Alcohol: 13.5%
0 comments