If one existed, there’d be a long waiting list of vintners hoping to reach into Cold Creek Vineyard west of the Wahluke Slope. Instead, the grapes go primarily Bob Bertheau’s team, and the site picked out for Ste. Michelle by the late Walter Clore made up 85% of this bottling. Opulence oozes out of the aromas that feature black cherry, dark plum and crushed herbs along with barrel influence of brown sugar, clove, cocoa powder and coconut. The flavors are bold with currant and plum amid a sturdy, yet integrated, structure capped by Baker’s chocolate. It bodes well for the future but can be enjoyed now alongside prime rib rubbed with rosemary and thyme, a juicy T-bone topped by blue cheese or Death by Chocolate.
Rating: Excellent
Production: 2,075 cases
Alcohol: 14.5%
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