Chateau Ste. Michelle’s new String of Pearls project with Rhône Valley vintners Michel Gassier and Philippe Cambie, and the image of an owl on the label hints at the years of winemaking wisdom behind this brand. This largest bottling of the triumvirate incorporates touches of Grenache (3%) and Mourvèdre (2%) along with the Viognier (1%) that was co-fermented with the Syrah (94%), and it carries aromas of blackberry jam on toast, President plum, red cherry, mocha and a trail of alder smoke. Inside, it’s a plush, luscious and smooth drink of Montmorency cherry and chocolate-covered pomegranate cast upon a long structure of blueberry juice and plum skin.
Rating: Excellent
Production: 8,113 cases
Alcohol: 14.3%
Leave a Reply