Home   >   Latest wine reviews   >   Chateau Ste. Michelle 2011 Canoe Ridge Estate Chardonnay, Horse Heaven Hills, $22

Chateau Ste. Michelle 2011 Canoe Ridge Estate Chardonnay, Horse Heaven Hills, $22

By on November 12, 2013

chateau-ste-michelle-canoe-ridge-chardonnay-labelThe 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%

Website

About Great Northwest Wine

Articles authored by Great Northwest Wine are co-authored by Eric Degerman and Andy Perdue. In most cases, these are wine reviews that are judged blind by the Great Northwest Wine tasting panel.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *